ANDREW MUCHINERIPI, Johannesburg | Saturday 4.40pm.
Orlando Pirates 1 Bloemfontein Celtic 0
MIDFIELD workaholic Brandon Silent scored his first goal of the season on Saturday to keep Orlando Pirates in the chase for the Castle Premiership title at rain-soaked FNB Stadium.
Silent struck after 16 minutes of a close contest, slamming a right-foot shot past motionless Innocent Mayoyo to move the Buccaneers within seven points of long-time leaders Sundowns.
Defeat kept Celtic in trouble at the wrong end of the table as they remain just three points above relegation-threatened AmaZulu, although the Free State club have one match in hand.
A goal worthy of winning a much more important match than this stemmed from a Dennis Lota cross that Phumlani Mkhize cleverly headed back and Silent displayed superb control, first with his chest and then with his feet.
Celtic were never overawed despite losing their last five away league games against Pirates and had several good chances following the early second-half dismissal of Pirates defender Tomas Inguana.
Cape Town referee Achmat Salie raised his red card for a professional foul after Inguana pulled Lebogang Kukame when he appeared poised to score from just inside the penalty area.
William Okpara parried the resultant free kick by Celtic captain Willem Vries and Lebajoa Mphongoa came even closer with a shot that the goalkeeper pushed away via the underside of the crossbar.
Lota was also foiled by the woodwork in a match notable for the number of times Celtic were caught offside – 12 – and their lack of killer instinct was illustrated again near the end when Daniel Matsau shot straight at Okpara.