SuperSport United suffered a third successive Premiership defeat, losing 1-0 to Bloemfontein Celtic at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Wednesday evening.
With Christmas only days away, Celtic received a gift of a goal taken by striker Lennox Bacela in the 11th minute to earn three crucial points and a second successive victory.
The goal came after a howler from United’s young goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, who tried to clear an ominous ball in the area but completely missed the ball before Bacela finished off.
Improving Phunya Sele Sele — who beat Orlando Pirates 1-0 on the weekend — have now moved to ninth place on the table, carrying 22 points after 15 matches.
United missed the chance of reclaiming their top spot as their slump continued, as did their critical defensive errors.
They have 28 points and are now three adrift from log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have 31 points.
Niggling injury
United, playing at home, struggled to maintain control in the match and to make matters worse, leading scorer, Ayatuse Nyondo, had to be stretched off because of injury.
While star defender Morgan Gould was absent, forward Anthony Laffor was forced to play most of the game carrying a niggling injury.
They pushed forward in the second-half in search of an equaliser which never looked like materialising for Amatsatsantsa a Pitori.
Midfielder Jabu Maluleke, after a pass from Anthony Laffor, forcing a shot on the hour mark, that was easily dealt with by the reliable Patrick Tignyemb in the Celtic goal.
In the dying moments, midfielder Mogogi Gabonamong had a chance to salvage a draw in a goal mouth scramble.
But the Botswana international’s close range shot was cleared off the line by an alert Celtic defender.
The last ditch effort came from Thandani Ntshumayelo’s ambitious long range effort which sailed harmlessly wide of goal to seal United’s fate. — Sapa