Bloemfontein - Bloemfontein Celtic were unable to return to wining ways on Wednesday night, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Maritzburg United.
Phunya Sele Sele, looking to get back to top form after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Platinum Stars in their last league match, found themselves a goal down after Diyo Sibisi opened the scoring for the Team of Choice.
However, Lennox Bacela scored early in the second half to ensure that the points were shared in what was a hard-fought encounter at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Maritzburg were first to threaten a goal, with strikers Diyo Sibisi and Prince Olomu getting away long range efforts inside the first ten minutes.
On 17 minutes, Celtic created their first genuine scoring chance but striker Lennox Bacela scooped his shot over the crossbar from just ten metres out. Winger Ipeleng Seepamore was guilty of the same mistake just under 20 minutes later.
Celtic were made to pay for their missed opportunities, as the Team of Choice surged ahead on 38 minutes. Sibisi took advantage of some slack defending from the hosts to score from close range with his head.
Celtic brought themselves level on the score board in the 51st minute. Bacela atoned for the earlier misses by the hosts when he turned home Thokozani Mshengu’s cross from close range to make it 1-1.
Seven minutes after the goal, Celtic almost took the lead through a powerful drive from attacker Clifford Mulenga, but Maritzburg’s Shu-Aib Walters made a sharp save to keep the score level.
Neither side was able to create any further clear scoring opportunities and it remained 1-1 up to the final whistle.
Scores:
Bloemfontein Celtic (0) 1 (Bacela 51’)
Maritzburg United (1) 1 (Sibisi 38’)
Teams:
Celtic: Tignyemb; Moleko (Mofokeng 82’), Nthethe, Mathoho, Hlela; Mshengu (Venter 68’), Madubanya, Oersen, Seepamore; Mulenga, Bacela
Maritzburg: Walters; Petersen, Diouf, Hendricks, Lawrence (M. Davids 30’); Obada, Lentjies, Madondo, Evans; Olomu (Matle 69’), Sibisi (Morton 88’)
Phunya Sele Sele, looking to get back to top form after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Platinum Stars in their last league match, found themselves a goal down after Diyo Sibisi opened the scoring for the Team of Choice.
However, Lennox Bacela scored early in the second half to ensure that the points were shared in what was a hard-fought encounter at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Maritzburg were first to threaten a goal, with strikers Diyo Sibisi and Prince Olomu getting away long range efforts inside the first ten minutes.
On 17 minutes, Celtic created their first genuine scoring chance but striker Lennox Bacela scooped his shot over the crossbar from just ten metres out. Winger Ipeleng Seepamore was guilty of the same mistake just under 20 minutes later.
Celtic were made to pay for their missed opportunities, as the Team of Choice surged ahead on 38 minutes. Sibisi took advantage of some slack defending from the hosts to score from close range with his head.
Celtic brought themselves level on the score board in the 51st minute. Bacela atoned for the earlier misses by the hosts when he turned home Thokozani Mshengu’s cross from close range to make it 1-1.
Seven minutes after the goal, Celtic almost took the lead through a powerful drive from attacker Clifford Mulenga, but Maritzburg’s Shu-Aib Walters made a sharp save to keep the score level.
Neither side was able to create any further clear scoring opportunities and it remained 1-1 up to the final whistle.
Scores:
Bloemfontein Celtic (0) 1 (Bacela 51’)
Maritzburg United (1) 1 (Sibisi 38’)
Teams:
Celtic: Tignyemb; Moleko (Mofokeng 82’), Nthethe, Mathoho, Hlela; Mshengu (Venter 68’), Madubanya, Oersen, Seepamore; Mulenga, Bacela
Maritzburg: Walters; Petersen, Diouf, Hendricks, Lawrence (M. Davids 30’); Obada, Lentjies, Madondo, Evans; Olomu (Matle 69’), Sibisi (Morton 88’)