Bloemfontein Celtic scored one of their best victories thus far when they defeated Castle Premiership leaders Orlando Pirates 1-0 in a pulsating clash played at the Free State Stadium on Wednesday night.
Celtic led 1-0 at half-time.
The foundations for the win were laid by Celtic’s uncompromising defence. It was a gutsy display and the home side earned their three points the hard way.
It is only the second time Bucs have been beaten in the league this season. However, Bucs are still eight points ahead of second-placed Kaizer Chiefs, who have two matches in hand.
Pirates were on top in the first half, playing at a furious pace, but they fell behind to a Fees Moloi goal in the final minute of the half. Moloi connected a pass from Collins Chabalala and managed to beat goalkeeper Francis Chansa with a clinical finish.
Earlier, Chabalala was foiled by Chansa when the tall Celtic striker was through in the second minute with only Chansa to beat. But the wide-awake keeper won this duel.
Bucs midfielder Benedict Vilakazi wasted a chance to open the scoring in the 11th minute when he was set up with a great cross from Joseph Makhanya, but the diminutive midfielder lost control of the ball.
Pirates striker Tyren Arendse was wide in the 15th minute. Ten minutes later, Celtic goalkeeper Vincent Ongandzi did well to deny the Bucs striker a goal. Then it was Vilakazi’s turn to miss the target in the 32nd minute as Pirates piled on the pressure.
To their credit, Celtic stuck to the task by hitting Pirates on the counter-attack, and that ploy reaped rewards when Moloi netted seconds before the half-time whistle.
Chabalala should have made it 2-0 four minutes into the second half but with the goal at his mercy he shot wide of the target.
Then Celtic defender Solly Nketle headed fractionally wide of the Bucs woodwork from a corner.
Pirates battled hard to get back into the game but were not allowed to settle down by the hard-tackling home side, who were roared on by a massive home support.
Celtic’s Jerry Merahe drove a fierce shot past the Bucs post in the 84th minute.
But it was a brilliant match-winning save by Ongandzi two minutes from time off a goal-bound shot from Vilakazi that helped Celtic secure three points. — Sapa