Celtic claims Cup victory over Chiefs

Cape Town – A Kaizer Chiefs team coached by Doctor Khumalo for the day lost 1-0 to Bloemfontein Celtic in the Macufe Cup.

According to the club’s website, Amakhosi fielded a second string team with most regular starters being left behind in Gauteng to enjoy a little break.

As a result of this, several players got a chance to impress Steve Komphela, who left his assistant Doctor Khumalo in charge of the match.

Chiefs started well in searing hot conditions in a sold out Free State Stadium, even though many seats stayed empty during the encounter.

Kgotso Moleko did well going up and down the right flank, delivering a few telling crosses into the Celtic box.

One of these crosses could have resulted in a goal, but Bongani Ndulula seemed to have been brought down in the Celtic box. The referee however ignored the striker’s shout for a penalty.

Morgan Gould was back in the Amakhosi starting XI after having been out long due to injury. The defender even took the captaincy armband for the game and looked composed throughout, organising his defence well.

Meanwhile, George Maluleka did well in midfield, spraying around the passes to both flanks. He even tried to shoot at goal a few times from long range, but this didn’t result in any real danger.

No goals were scored in the first half, which was not a great one.

Chiefs came out of the dressing room a bit more determined to go for the win, creating two fine chances during the first five minutes of play, via Sula Matovu (failing to miss the target) and a fine header from Ovidy Karuru (excellent cross from Matovu), which bounced off the goalpost.

It was, however, Celtic that managed to find the back of the net in 62nd minute, when the speedy Tshegofatso Mabaso got a nice through ball from his own half, outsprinted the Chiefs defenders, and neatly slotted the ball past Khuzwayo.

Chiefs tried to push forward, even though it didn’t result in many real chances with Celtic defence being well organised, giving little away.

Bloemfontein Celtic (0) 1 (Mabaso 62’)
Kaizer Chiefs 0

Bloemfontein Celtic: Mtshali (Mpandle 68’); Letlabika, Rikhotso (Maasdorp 46’), Lubisi, Mogapi; Phalanqe, Ntanga, April, Zuma (Letshabo 79’); Shikweni (Mahlasela 74’), Mabaso (Seekoei 87’)

Kaizer Chiefs: Khuzwayo; Moleko (Gordinho 69’), Xulu, Gould, Ritchie; Karuru (Mtsila 87’), Baloyi, Maluleka, Matovu (Mthembu 71’); Ekstein, Ndulula (Manqele 71’)