SuperSport United came from a goal down to hold hosts Bloemfontein Celtic 1-1 at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Wednesday night.

The final Absa Premiership match of 2017 saw Phunya Sele Sele claim a first-half lead through Victor Letsoalo, but Matsatsantsa hit back in the second half through debutant Darren Smith. The result sees the hosts move to sixth and the visitors remain in 11th place.

Celtic were the more enterprising team through the first half, and they nearly claimed the lead 11 minutes into the game when Ndumiso Mabena fired off a shot from the edge of the area, only to be denied by goalkeeper Riyaad Pieterse.
The subsequent corner kick produced another effort from the hosts, with Mpho Maruping getting on the end of the set piece delivery, though his glancing header flashed just wide of the far post.

In the 15th minute Celtic were rewarded for their positive play, with Mabena providing a perfectly weighted through ball to find the run of Victor Letsoalo, who easily rounded Pieterse before tucking the ball into an empty net to make it 1-0.

United created little in reply, with their only notable attacking effort in the first half seeing Thuso Phala controlling a ball in the penalty area, but any hopes of getting away a shot were quickly crushed by Celtic ‘keeper Patrick Tignyemb.

SuperSport were better after the break, but continued to be frustrated by a disciplined Celtic defence. Aubrey Modiba fored over the target just before the hour mark, while a short while after it Jeremy Brockie saw a goal-bound effort stymied by Tignyemb.

In the 73rd minute Modiba provided a fantastic cross from the left and the lively Brockie put his header just wide of the far post, but a couple of minutes later the left-back sent in another great ball and this time substitute Darren Smith converted with his head for a debut goal to make it 1-1.

Celtic had the best chance in what remained of the game, with Maruping meeting a second ball from a corner kick and heading over the crossbar in the 89th minute - he was under no pressure and should have at least hit the target.

Bloemfontein Celtic (1) 1 (Letsoalo 15’)

SuperSport United (0) 1 (Smith 75’)


Celtic: Tignyemb, Lubisi, Ndengane, Pfumbidzai, Mashikinya (Motshegwa 89’), Maruping, Baloyi, Hotto, Mahlasela (Shikwena 77’), Mabena, Letsoalo

SuperSport: Pieterse, Kekana, Daniels, Gould, Modiba, Furman, Letsholonyane (Nhlapo 57’), Phala, Mokoena (Smith 67’), Mbule (Mokeke 83’), Brockie

The final Absa Premiership match of the year sees Bloemfontein Celtic looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat when they host SuperSport United at Dr Molemela Stadium on 20 December 2017, kick-off at 19h30.

Celtic suffered a second defeat in the space of their last three league matches when they were crushed 4-1 at Mamelodi Sundowns on December 16. The Bloemfontein side will hope to recapture the form which saw them thrash rivals Free State Stars 3-0 a week prior to their heavy loss in Tshwane.

Phunya Sele Sele have claimed 10 points from six home matches this season. Their last two turns as hosts have produced a 1-0 loss to Orlando Pirates on November 26 and the above-mentioned triumph over Ea Lla Koto on December 10.

SuperSport suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Baroka FC on December 17 - the Tshwane side has now lost two matches on the spin and gone four without a victory in the league. They still have plenty of games in hand, but coach Eric Tinkler would surely prefer points on the board.

Matsatsantsa have claimed just four points from as many away matches this season, and they haven’t won on the road since beating Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 back in August.

In head-to-head stats, Celtic and SuperSport have met in 47 league matches since 1990. Each side has claimed 11 wins in the rivalry, while no less than 25 matches have ended in draws. Phunya Sele Sele have won six of their 24 home league matches against United, suffering four defeats in the process.

Last season the teams cancelled each other out in their two league meetings, playing to goalless draws in both Bloemfontein and Tshwane. SuperSport and Celtic have played to four successive league draws against each other, while their last five meetings have produced just five goals.

Celtic’s line-up from their 4-1 loss to Sundowns on December 16: Tignyemb, Ndengane, Rikhotso, Pfumbidzai, Lubisi, Motshegwa, Baloyi, Phalane (Mahlasela 58’), Hotto, Mabena (Nyundu 77’), Letsoalo (Jembula 85’).

SuperSport’s line-up from their 3-1 loss to Baroka on December 17: Pieterse, Kekana, Daniels, Egwuekwe, Boateng (Mbule 62'), Furman, Letsholonyane (Myeni 77'), Mokoena, Phala, Modiba, Grobler (Brockie 67').