For once Bloemfontein Celtic responded to the passion that their fans show at every match by coming from two goals down to earn a hard-fought point against Platinum Stars in an Absa Premiership match that ended 2-2 at Olen Park on Saturday night.
Bradley Grobler netted for the hosts in the 22nd minute and Stars debutant Jabu Mahlangu doubled Stars’ lead in the 40th minute. In the second half Celtic showed the character they desperately need to get out of the relegation zone and a header by Timothy Batabaire in the 71st minute and Petros Mahlatsi’s clinical strike in the 87th minute earned them a much-needed point.
Stars were undoubtedly the better side in the first half and Celtic keeper Shuaib Walters had to make a few good saves to deny them in the early stages. He denied strikers Phumudzo Manenzhe and Tshepo Ramokala
but could not stop Grobler’s opportunistic strike.
Walters pushed Ramokala’s effort in to the unmarked Grobler’s path and he made no mistake from seven yards out.
Mahlangu played simply down the right wing and showed some deft touches, but his goal demonstrated that the former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates player had not lost his silky skills.
Stars goalie Tapuwa Kapini launched the ball upfield, Ramokala flicked it on and Mahlangu, with a superb first touch, then expertly rounded the keeper and coolly slotted the ball in to an empty net to the delight of his teammates.
With victory in sight Stars went in to the half-time break with smiles on their faces.
New Celtic coach Owen Da Gama took former Bafana Bafana striker Shaun Bartlett off for the more lively Geofrey Serunkuma. The beleaguered Bloemfontein team showed more purpose as their band of fans kept on singing and urging them on relentlessly.
Celts skipper John Maduka floated in a freekick that Batabaire followed in to the box and expertly headed home. The fan’s voices grew louder and seven minutes later Mahlatsi missed what should have been a certain equaliser.
And if he had not missed that chance then his clinical first-time finish three minutes from time would have moved them away from the relegation zone.
Instead his goal denied Stars from moving into the top eight while his side edged into 15th place ahead of Bay United by virtue of goal difference.
Da Gama led Stars — when they were known as Silver Stars — from the second division to a second place finish in the league. But now the former Moroka
Swallows striker has the toughest task of his coaching career — to save the best supported team in the country from relegation – Sapa