Bloemfontein Celtic fight back to hold Baroka

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Feb 10, 2019. 17:34

Baroka FC and Bloemfontein Celtic drew 2-2 in an Absa Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

As a result, Bakgaga remained 14th on the league table, while Phunya Sele Sele moved up to fifth spot on the log.

Phunya Sele Sele were able to contain Bakgaga in the opening 15 minutes of the encounter.

The visitors grew in confidence as the match progressed with Neo Maema working hard down the left-hand side for Phunya Sele Sele.

The midfielder played a long ball for Tshegofatso Mabasa, who outpaced his marker, before firing past Baroka goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze to make it 1-0 to Celtic in the 25th minute.

However, the lead only lasted for 10 minutes as Bakgaga managed to restore parity through an own-goal.

Celtic right-back Mpusana Tani headed the ball past on-rushing keeper Patrick Tignyemb to make it 1-1 with the half-time break fast approaching.

The momentum was with Baroka and they managed to take the lead just before half-time when Mduduzi Mdantsane finished off a beautiful team goal to make it 2-1 to the hosts.

Baroka were leading 2-1 at half-time against Celtic.

Bakgaga continued to launch attacks after the restart and they had a great opportunity to extend their lead following a good run by Collins Makgaga.

The pacey player beat two defenders and he found himself in a one-on-one situation with Tignyemb, who produced a brilliant save to deny the attacker just before the hour mark.

It was end-to-end stuff as Tignyemb made great save to deny Jemondre Dickens, before the former set-up Mabasa, who grabbed his brace.

The 22-year-old centre forward netted his eighth league goal of the season to make it 2-2 for Celtic after outpacing his marker in the 72nd minute.

Both teams launched attacks in the closing stages of the game as they searched for a late winning goal.

However, they could not find the back of the net in the dying minutes of the match and ultimately, the encounter ended in a 2-2 draw with Baroka, and Celtic sharing the spoils.

Baroka (2) 2 (Tani 35', Mdantsane 41')
Celtic (1) 2 (Mabaso 25', 72')

Baroka: Chipezeze, Semenya, Sibiya, Mabeba (Vilane 80'), Makgaka (Mokgobo 90'+4'), Makume, Chinyengetere (Patjie 32'), Mosele, Dickens, Mongae, Mdantsane.

Celtic: Tignyemb, Mahashe, Pfumbizai, Rikhotso, Maema ((Potsane 63'), Tani (Letsoalo 47'), Mabasa, Mashikinya, Dlamini (Shikweni 90'+3), Phalane, Baloyi.