Bloemfontein Celtic and AmaZulu shared the spoils in their 0-0 Absa Premiership draw at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday night.

Coach Veselin Jelusic's men were looking to return to winning ways, but settled for a point as they sit at number nine from 18 games with 24 points.

After starting on a high and enjoying the ball possession, Usuthu could not test Patrick Tignyemb in the first 10 minutes.

Making his debut for the hosts, Camaldine Abraw came close to bagging an opener in the 19th minute when his glancing header went inches over the crossbar.

Just before the 25th minute, Ovidy Karuru protested for a penalty after television replays showed the Zimbabwean was fouled in the box, yet the cries fell on deaf ears.

Siwelele would fight back to try and grab the lead and Deon Hotto’s attempt produced a superb save from Siyabonga Mbatha a few minutes later, the goalkeeper left his line to make a stunning block on the d-line.

Despite both camps exchanging blows, there were no goals at the end of the opening half.

However, Celtic emerged from the tunnel with an improved showing and Vusi Shikweni’s powerful shot forced a save from Mbatha in the 52nd minute.

There were few opportunities in the final third towards the hour mark as both sides committed fouls in the middle of the park.

With time running out for either side, it was the host who made more entries in Celtic’s box, yet they could not find cracks in the visiting defence.

Substitute Jabulani Ncobeni took matters into his hands in the injury time but his two efforts could not yield the desired results as far as the scoreline was concerned.

Another substitute, Siyethemba Mnguni, also tried a shot at goal from the edge of the area, but also failed to beat a limping Tignyemb twice - his efforts went inches wide.


After the draw, Cavin Johnson's charges occupy the 13th spot with 19 points from 17 league games.

AmaZulu 0

Bloemfontein Celtic 0

AmaZulu: S. Mbatha, M. Gumede, Mabiliso, P. Gumede, Ouro-Akoriko, Ncube (Mnguni 71’), Morton, Ramphele (Ncobeni 62’), Nomvethe (S. Dlamini 73’), Karuru, Abraw


Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb, Pfumbidzai, Rikhotso, Ndengane, Lubisi, Nyundu (Mabena 66’), Gordinho, Baloyi, Hotto, Shikweni (Motshegwa 75’), Letsoalo (Masuku 81’)

AmaZulu will chase successive wins in the Absa Premiership when they host Bloemfontein Celtic at King Zwelithini Stadium on 24 January 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

AmaZulu broke a seven-game winless streak (including three successive losses from the end of last year into 2018) by defeating SuperSport United 2-0 at home on January 20. The Durban side has yet to win back-to-back league matches this season and will hope to achieve the feat in this game.

Usuthu have claimed 13 points from nine home matches this season, with only two teams - Chippa United and Polokwane City - managing to defeat AmaZulu in their own back yard.

Celtic suffered a second successive league loss when they were beaten 1-0 at Bidvest Wits on January 19. The Bloemfontein side played much of the match with just 10 men, following a red card for Mpho Maruping on the half hour mark.

Phunya Sele Sele have claimed just nine points from as many away matches this season. Since a 1-0 win at Cape Town City in mid-October, Celtic have played five away matches, claimed just one point in the sequence and conceded 11 goals.

In head-to-head stats, AmaZulu and Celtic have met in 48 league matches since 1985. Phunya Sele Sele have claimed 19 wins compared to 12 for Usuthu, while 17 matches have been drawn. The Durban side has won 10 of their 23 home league matches against the Bloemfontein club, suffering six defeats in the process.

AmaZulu and Celtic have not met since the 2014/15 season: in that campaign, the Bloemfontein side claimed a league ‘double’ by winning 2-0 in Durban and 3-0 at home.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 2-0 win over SuperSport on January 20: S. Mbatha, Mabiliso, Ouro-Akoriko, P. Gumede, M. Gumede, Morton, Ncube, Karuru (Mnguni 58'), Nomvethe (Darpoh 75'), Ramphele, Cele (Manzini 71').

Celtic’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Wits on January 19: Tignyemb, Pfumbidzai, Rikhotso, Ndengane, Gordinho, Baloyi, Maruping, Hotto, Mashikinya (Mabena 49'), Phalane (Shikweni 75'), Mabasa (Masuku 49').