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Bloemfontein - Bloemfontein Celtic and Free State Stars played to a 2-2 draw in their Absa Premiership derby match at Free State Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams remain on course to finish in the top eight of the standings after this result, though Phunya Sele Sele, who twice found themselves in front through goals from Joel Mogorosi, may feel they have dropped two points.
Mogorosi got Celtic off to a flying start, netting from close range as early as the fourth minute to hand them the advantage and maintain the impressive form he has shown throughout his debut season in South Africa.
Stars almost responded in the ninth minute, but Patrick Tignyemb was able to tip Dove Wome’s free kick away for a corner. It was the first of several half-chances for the visitors that they were unable to take full advantage of.
However, on the half hour mark they drew level at 1-1. Mogorosi fouled Wome and picked up a caution for his efforts. Wome’s subsequent free kick found big defender Sadate Ouro-Akoriko, who scored with his head to restore parity.
Wome continued to threaten from dead ball situations and forced another good save from Tignyemb in the 34th minute, but just three minutes later Celtic got themselves back in the lead and once again it was Mogorosi finding the back of the net.
The Botswana winger capitalised on an assist from his teammate on the opposite flank Lyle Lakay to once again score from close range and put Phunya Sele Sele 2-1 up against their provincial rivals heading into the half time break.
Ea Lla Koto made two changes early in the second half, sending on Noah Chivuta and Anver Esterhuizen in an effort to strengthen their midfield, and they duly created the next clear chance on 56 minutes when Wome’s cross found Moeketsi Mvula, but the young striker put his header off target.
Ruzaigh Gamildien and Chivuta both had efforts from free kicks travel just off target for the hosts and visitors respectively, but both sides were struggling to create opportunities from open play.
However, on 68 minutes, Danny Venter hurt his former club Celtic by levelling the scores at 2-2. The attacking midfielder beat Tignyemb from just a few metres out after another assist from the lively Wome.
The home side almost reclaimed the lead immediately, with Lakay providing a cross that found the head of Vuyani Ntanga, but his effort was tipped round the post by Kennedy Mweene.
Stars suffered a blow late in the game when Venter was forced off the pitch with what looked a serious injury. He was replaced by Coldrin Coetzee.
Bloemfontein Celtic (2) 2 (Mogorosi 4’ 37’)
Free State Stars (1) 2 (Ouro-Akoriko 30’, Venter 68’)
Celtic: Tignyemb, Mzava, Nthethe, Motlhaping (Lawler 59’), Mogapi, Mogorosi, Arwuah, Ntanga (Duiker 72’), Lakay, Gamildien, Bacela (Mutuma 60’)
Stars: Mweene, Sambu, Gege (Chivuta 46’), Ouro-Akoriko, Cardoso, Venter (Coetzee 89’), Wiltwer, Masehe (Esterhuizen 52’), Mashego, Wome, Mvula
The two teams remain on course to finish in the top eight of the standings after this result, though Phunya Sele Sele, who twice found themselves in front through goals from Joel Mogorosi, may feel they have dropped two points.
Mogorosi got Celtic off to a flying start, netting from close range as early as the fourth minute to hand them the advantage and maintain the impressive form he has shown throughout his debut season in South Africa.
Stars almost responded in the ninth minute, but Patrick Tignyemb was able to tip Dove Wome’s free kick away for a corner. It was the first of several half-chances for the visitors that they were unable to take full advantage of.
However, on the half hour mark they drew level at 1-1. Mogorosi fouled Wome and picked up a caution for his efforts. Wome’s subsequent free kick found big defender Sadate Ouro-Akoriko, who scored with his head to restore parity.
Wome continued to threaten from dead ball situations and forced another good save from Tignyemb in the 34th minute, but just three minutes later Celtic got themselves back in the lead and once again it was Mogorosi finding the back of the net.
The Botswana winger capitalised on an assist from his teammate on the opposite flank Lyle Lakay to once again score from close range and put Phunya Sele Sele 2-1 up against their provincial rivals heading into the half time break.
Ea Lla Koto made two changes early in the second half, sending on Noah Chivuta and Anver Esterhuizen in an effort to strengthen their midfield, and they duly created the next clear chance on 56 minutes when Wome’s cross found Moeketsi Mvula, but the young striker put his header off target.
Ruzaigh Gamildien and Chivuta both had efforts from free kicks travel just off target for the hosts and visitors respectively, but both sides were struggling to create opportunities from open play.
However, on 68 minutes, Danny Venter hurt his former club Celtic by levelling the scores at 2-2. The attacking midfielder beat Tignyemb from just a few metres out after another assist from the lively Wome.
The home side almost reclaimed the lead immediately, with Lakay providing a cross that found the head of Vuyani Ntanga, but his effort was tipped round the post by Kennedy Mweene.
Stars suffered a blow late in the game when Venter was forced off the pitch with what looked a serious injury. He was replaced by Coldrin Coetzee.
Bloemfontein Celtic (2) 2 (Mogorosi 4’ 37’)
Free State Stars (1) 2 (Ouro-Akoriko 30’, Venter 68’)
Celtic: Tignyemb, Mzava, Nthethe, Motlhaping (Lawler 59’), Mogapi, Mogorosi, Arwuah, Ntanga (Duiker 72’), Lakay, Gamildien, Bacela (Mutuma 60’)
Stars: Mweene, Sambu, Gege (Chivuta 46’), Ouro-Akoriko, Cardoso, Venter (Coetzee 89’), Wiltwer, Masehe (Esterhuizen 52’), Mashego, Wome, Mvula
