CELTIC CLIMB INTO THIRD SPOT
Bloemfontein Celtic secured a 1-0 victory over Baroka FC in an Absa Premiership match at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The victory saw Phunya Sele climb up to third place on the league standings, while Bakgaga remained 15th on the table.
Phunya Sele Sele dominated the opening stages of the game and they should have scored twice within the first 10 minutes of the game.
Baroka’s Zimbabwean goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze was in top form as he pulled off a great save to deny Celtic striker Victor Letsoalo from close range.
The shot-stopper then produced a brave save to deny Celtic defender Lorenzo Gordinho from close range with the visitors’ defence exposed.
The hosts kept pushing for the opening goal and Ndumiso Mabena’s first-time effort was well saved by Chipezeze in the 18th minute.
Chipezeze continued to frustrate Phunya Sele Sele as he made a brilliant save to deny Menzi Masuku from close range three minutes before the half-hour mark.
The score was 0-0 at the interval following a first-half which was dominated by Celtic, but they could not beat Chipezeze.
Baroka came back rejuvenated after the halftime break with Talent Chawapiwa looking lively down the left-hand side.
The speedy winger delivered a quality cross for Tebogo Sodi, who missed the target from inside the Celtic box a few minutes after the restart.
Celtic head coach Steve Komphela decided to introduce Tshegofatso Mabaso in the 62nd minute as the hosts looked to break the deadlock.
Former Orlando Pirates striker Mabena forced Chipezeze into a comfortable save with a long-range shot in the 74th minute as the hosts searched for a late winner.
Both teams launched late attacks in search of a goal and Baroka substitute Mpho Kgaswane hit the crossbar in the dying minutes of the game.
Baroka were left to rue that missed chance as Ronald Pfumbidzai scored with a low shot in stoppage time to seal a Celtic’s 1-0 victory on the day.
Celtic (0) 1 (Pfumbidzai 90’+2)
Baroka (0) 0
Celtic: Tignyemb, Letlabika, Pfumbidzai, Rikhotso, Mabena, Mashikinya (Mangweni 72′), Masuku (Mabaso 62′), Gordinho, Dlamini (Maema 58) Phalane, Letsoalo.
Baroka: Chipezeze, Kgoetyane , Makime, Sibiya, Gebhardt, Mosele, Mdantsane, Chawaphiwa, Makgaka (Kgaswane 62′), Sodi (Chivaviro 67′), Makgantai (Maliba 81′).
