A determined Bloemfontein Celtic scored an emphatic 2-1 win over Moroka Swallows in a tough Castle Premier League tie at Vodacom Park Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
The hard-fought victory saw Phunya Sele Sele avenging their 3-2 elimination by the Birds in the Coca-Cola Cup a week ago, and consolidating their position on league table.
This was Celtic’s second home win of the season, with the first against struggling Manning Rangers in September, followed by a 2-0 home defeat by Silver Stars two weeks ago.
The hosts, under charges of stand-in coaches Tony de Nobrega and Benjamin Reed, pressurised Gavin Hunt’s charges from the onset in search of an early goal but were denied by Swallows goalkeeper Conrad Hendricks, who made crucial saves.
Celtic broke the ice in the 32nd minute when Siyabonga Nkosi blasted into the top of the net after beating helpless Hendricks, whose defence was poor.
Celtic’s Moses Spandeel beat an offside and supplied a cute cross, which the visitors failed to thwart.
Celtic’s joy was short-lived as towering Swallows striker Lungisani Ndlela equalised in the 34th minute, converting after Cecil Oerson’s attempt rebound off a defender with Simon Gopane beaten.
Celtic dominated against the Birds, whose striking pair of Dennis Lota and Edzai Kasenauyo were kept at bay by Celtic’s defence, led by captain Lehlohonolo Seema.
They were level at 1-1 at half-time.
After surviving from a flurry of Swallows attacks, Celtic got into top gear to swing the game their way and the Birds could not sustain the pressure.
Celtic’s captain Seema scored a brilliant goal beating a badly positioned ‘keeper in the 72nd minute after collecting from Spandeel’s superb back-heel pass.
Shortly afterwards, Celtic were awarded a penalty after Warren Lewis fouled substituted Boitumelo Moleyane inside the box.
Nkosi shot tamely straight at Hendricks, who had no difficulty in saving. — Sapa