Maritzburg United humble Bloemfontein Celtic

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Friday Jan 12, 2018. 22:11

Maritzburg United defeated Bloemfontein Celtic 4-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.

As a result, the Team of Choice climb up to fourth place on the league standings, while Phunya Sele Sele slip down to seventh spot.

The two sides struggled to create chances in the opening exchanges as they lost possession in the final third.

Celtic grew in confidence as the match progressed as they played crosses into the Maritzburg which were pushed away by goalkeeper Richard Ofori.

Evans Rusike, the Maritzburg forward, was looking lively down the left hand side and he managed to find Deolin Mekoa with a low cross, but the latter's effort was blocked in the box.

The home side continued to push for the opening goal which came in the 38th minute following a well-taken cross by Mekoa from the right hand side.

Bevan Fransman headed the ball into Pogiso Sanoka's path and the latter beat Celtic keeper Patrick Tignyemb to make it 1-0 to Maritzburg.

Celtic pushed for the equalizing goal, but Maritzburg stood firm and the hosts were deservedly leading 1-0 at the interval.

Ruggert Nyundu was introduced by Celtic coach Veselin Jelusic at the beginning of the second-half as the visitors looked to level matters.

However, Mohau Mokate doubled Maritzburg's lead as he finished off Lebohang Maboe's cross to make it 2-0 to Maritzburg in the 47th minute.

Jacky Motshegwa tried to pull one back for Celtic in the 67th minute, but his long range effort flew over the crossbar without troubling Ofori.

Andrea Fileccia then made it 3-0 to Maritzburg as he scored with a low effort from close range in the 75th minute with Bandile Shandu providing an assist.

The hosts were running rampant as Rusike sealed Maritzburg's 4-0 victory in the 87th minute with a well-taken low shot which beat Tignyemb hands down.

Maritzburg (1) 4 (Sanoka 38', Mokate 47', Fileccia 76', Rusike 87')
Celtic (0) 0

Maritzburg: Ofori, Sanoka, Fransman, Xulu, Makaringe, Shandu, Maboe, Ndlovu, Mekoa (Atouba 80'), Mokate (Fileccia 75'), Rusike (Matima 90+2').

Celtic: Tignyemb, Pfumbidzai, Rikhotso (Lubisi 78'), Ndengane, Letsoalo (Motshegwa 49'), Maema (Nyundu 47'), Gordinho, Baloyi, Hotto, Mabena, Phalane.