Celtic leave Sundowns frustrated in Tshwane

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Mar 02, 2019. 18:32

Mamelodi Sundowns failed to move four points clear atop the Absa Premiership standings as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Bloemfontein Celtic at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane on Saturday afternoon.

In a game overshadowed by a serious injury sustained by Wandisile Letlabika in the first-half, neither team were able to find the back of the net with Sundowns looking particularly lethargic following their 3-2 win over Cape Town City at the same venue earlier this week.

The best chance of the opening stanza fell to Tebogo Langerman in the 17th minute. Gaston Sirino did superbly well to pick out the fullback at the far post but he could only succeed in guiding his volley attempt wide of goal.

Sundowns continued to dominate proceedings after the interval and should've gone a goal up in the 55th minute, but Sirino failed to convert Anthony Laffor's defence splitting pass.

Siwelele went close at the other end of the pitch moments later as Tshegofatso Mabasa forced Kennedy Mweene into a good save.

It was all the Brazilians, though, in the closing stages as Celtic seemingly settled for a point on their travels.

Laffor came close to snatching it at the death for the hosts, but the Liberia international could only succeed in dragging his attempt wide of goal.

Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 0

Bloemfontein Celtic (0) 0

Mamelodi Sundowns:Mweene; Langerman (Lakay 74'), Nascimento, Coetzee, Ngcongca, Kekana, Mabunda, Zwane, Laffor, Maboe (Mahlambi 85') , Sirino (Tade 75').

Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb; Tani, Rikhotso, Letlabika (Mahashe 45+2'), Pfumbidzai, Baloyi, Kobedi (Dlamini 55'), Potsane, Mashikinya, Letsoalo (Maema 64'), Mabasa.