Kaizer Chiefs overcome stubborn Celtic

The victory sees Amakhosi climbed up to second on the league standings, while Phunya Sele Sele slip down to position 13 on the table.

Amakhosi saw most of the ball in the opening stages of the game as they looked to penetrate the Phunya Sele Sele defence marshalled by Wandisile Letlabika.

Their early pressure paid off in the 12th minute when George Maluleka burst into the Celtic box and fired goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb to make it 1-0 to Chiefs.

Itumeleng Khune, the Chiefs keeper, was called into action by the home side for the first time 14 minutes and he gathered a Musa Nyatama’s set-piece with ease.

Phunya Sele Sele were starting to push forward in numbers in search of the equalizing goal, but they were forced to try their luck from range by Chiefs’ solid defence.

In the 37th minute, Lyle Lakay found some space outside the Chiefs box and he unleashed a powerful low shot which narrowly missed the target.

Khune had to be alert a minute later after Nyatama pulled the trigger from range and the former produced a fantastic finger-tipping save to deny the Celtic midfielder.

Nevertheless, the visitors managed to contain Phunya Sele Sele until the match referee blew the half-time whistle and it was 1-0 to Chiefs at the interval.

Amakhosi came very close to doubling their lead seven minutes into the second-half with the Phunya Sele defence caught ball watching.

However, former Cameroon under-23 international Tignyemb produced a great save to keep out Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande’s header from close range.

Steve Komphela, the Chiefs head coach, made a change in the 55th minute – pulling out ineffective Edmore Chirambadare for Gustavo Paez.

The Venezuelan striker made his presence felt when he beat Tignyemb to make it 2-0 to Chiefs 13 minutes later – he also made it three goals in two games for Amakhosi.

Phunya Sele Sele nearly pulled one back in the 79th minute, but Khune was alert as he brilliantly pushed away Celtic winger Lakay’s low cross which was goal bound.

The home side launched late attacks in search of late goals, but Amakhosi stood firm at the back and ultimately, Chiefs emerged 2-0 winners in the City of Roses.

Celtic (0) 0

Chiefs (1) 2 ( Maluleka 12′, Paez 68′)

Celtic: Tignyemb, Nyatama, Rikhotso (Mvula 82′), Ndengane, Lakay, Dube, Letlabika, Mxoyana, Hotto (Mahlasela 67′) Phalane, Mabasa (Abdul 55′).

Chiefs: Khune, Mphahlele, Gordonho, Mathoho, Masilela, Maluleka, Katsande, Molangoane (Twala 79′), Chirambadare (Paez 55′), Tshabalala, Parker (Ekstein 83′).

This article was sourced from the PSL website.