Celtic suffer first defeat in the Free State

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday Sep 20, 2017. 21:45

Bloemfontein Celtic suffered their first Absa Premiership defeat at the hands of Baroka FC after their 2-0 loss on Wednesday night at the Free State Stadium.

The first defeat in the 2017/18 campaign for Phunya Sele Sele sees them occupying the 10th spot on the log table with five points from four matches.

However, for the visitors, Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele scored through Sipho Moeti and Mpho Kgaswane as they remain unbeaten in the league.

The first encounter between the two sides in the 2017/18 premiership campaign had a slow start as they both failed to create scoring chances in the opening 10 minutes.

Despite both sides coming from wins ahead of this encounter, they started on a low note as there were no attempts at goal in the opening half hour.

However, Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute as Moeti managed to beat the Celtic goalkeeper, Patrick Tignyemb.

It was 1-0 to the visitors at the interval.

Just after coming back from the dressing room, coach Veselin Jelusic's men emerged with purpose as they intensified their attack.

In the 48th minute, they came close to bagging an equaliser, but Baroka managed to clear their lines at the back, with goalkeeper Virgil Vries producing fine saves.

Despite their push, Celtic failed to use their moves from the midfield to good effect as they were firing blanks towards the final 20 minutes.

However, with five minutes remaining on the clock, Kgaswane doubled the lead for coach Kgoloko Thobejane's men.

Although they pushed numbers upfront to secure a goal, Siwelele's efforts were not enough as they suffered their first defeat of the season at home.

After this win, the 2015/16 First Division champions now sit at the number two on the log standings with 11 points from five matches so far.

Bloemfontein Celtic 0
Baroka FC (1) 2 (Moeti 43', Kgaswane 85')

Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb, Pfumbidzai, Rikhotso, Ndengane, Mabena, Letlabika, Nyundu, Baloyi, Hotto, Phalane, Motshegwa

Baroka FC: Vries, Shaku, Matloga, Ntshangase, Banda, Moeti, Masenamela, Mothupa, Madubanya, Mdantsane, Nguzana

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