Bloemfontein Celtic returned to winning ways in the Absa Premiership with a 2-1 victory away to Polokwane City at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Victory moves Siwelele up to ninth place on the log standings, a point behind the top eight, while Rise and Shine remain sixth.

City opened the scoring in Polokwane through veteran midfielder Jabulani Maluleke in the 24th minute. Celtic, though, would equalise before the break as Kabelo Dlamini struck home a stunning free-kick.

Celtic were reduced to 10-men in the 67th minute following a red card to Given Mashikinya before Ndumiso Mabena missed a penalty kick for the visitors.

Phunya Sele Sele and Mabena, though, would have the last laugh as the striker beat George Chigova with virtually the final kick of the game to secure all three points for the Free State club.

Polokwane City (1) 1 (J. Maluleke 24')
Bloemfontein Celtic (1) 2 (Dlamini 34' Mabena 90+4')

Polokwane City: Chigova; Mbonani, Phiri (Mphambaniso 70'), Hlongwane, Motloung, J.Maluleke, Mvelase, Manaka, Tlolane, Anas (Mashumba 71'), Booi (Musona 62').

Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb; Mahashe, Rikhotso, Baloyi, Phalane, Masuku, Mashikinya, Sam, Mabena, Dlamini (De Jongh 86'), Maema.

Polokwane City will look to continue their unbeaten run in the Absa Premiership when they host Bloemfontein Celtic at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on 24 April 2019, kick-off at 19h30.

Polokwane have gone eight league games without a defeat, reaching the mark by holding SuperSport United 0-0 away from home on April 13. The Limpopo side last tasted defeat away to Maritzburg United in early February.

Rise and Shine have claimed 22 points from 13 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 3-1 win over provincial derby rivals Black Leopards in early April.

Celtic have gone six league games without a victory after they were beaten 2-1 at Maritzburg United on April 5. The Bloemfontein side’s last three-pointer came at home to Black Leopards in early February. Their home match against Cape Town City on April 14 was abandoned due to fan violence.

Phunya Sele Sele have claimed 16 points from 13 away matches this season, with their last win on the road coming at Chippa United in early January.

In head-to-head stats, Polokwane and Celtic have met in 11 league matches since 2013/14. The Bloemfontein team has claimed five wins compared to four for their Limpopo counterparts, while two matches have ended in draws. Rise and Shine have claimed two wins from five home matches in the rivalry, suffering three defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Dr Molemela Stadium in December 2018, Polokwane claimed a 2-1 away win thanks to goals from Salulani Phiri and Monde Mphambaniso. Rise and Shine have won their last two league matches against Phunya Sele Sele.

Polokwane’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with SuperSport on April 13: Chigova, Mbonani, Motloung, Nkili, Hlongwane, Phiri, J. Maluleke, Manaka, Mashumba (Tlolane 87’), Anas (Seabi 90’) Booi (Musona 77’).

Celtic’s line-up from their 2-1 loss to Maritzburg on April 5: Tignyemb, Lingwati, , Mashikinya, Dlamini (Letsoalo 82'), Masuku, De Jongh, Sam, Mahashe, Baloyi, Maema (Kobedi 72'), Mabena.