Bloemfontein - Early Absa Premiership pace setters Bloemfontein Celtic maintained their unbeaten run when they defeated rookies Black Leopards 2-0 in Bloemfontein on Tuesday evening.
The home team attacked vigorously as early as the first minute, with defender Hlompho Kekana taking a powerful shot that did not trouble Leopards goalkeeper Posnet Omony.
In the sixth minute, Celtic's veteran striker, Moses Spandeel, headed the ball over the bar after a cross from Thokazani Mshengu.
As the match progressed, both sides went in search of an early lead but both lacked killer instinct.
In the 10th minute, Leopards midfielder Raymond Monama took a thunderous shot that was parried for a corner by Celtic goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb.
Three minutes later, Celtic striker Luyanda Bacela sent over a stunning cross that was headed home by Spandeel to put the hosts ahead.
Mshengu took a shot from outside the box in the 29th minute but his effort was easily saved by Omony.
In search of the equaliser, Leopards captain Mongezi Bobe made an attempt at goal but his shot was cleared off the line by defender Kgotso Moleko.
Celtic's lead, however, brought a new lease of life to the game with Leopards attacking relentlessly, led by Monama who was a constant bother to the home team's defence.
Clifford Mulenga nearly doubled the lead in first-half injury time but his shot sailed wide.
Mshengu delivered a decent cross in the 64th minute, in an otherwise dull second half, and Kekana headed home to secure the win.
Scorers:
Bloemfontein Celtic (1) 2 (Spandeel 13’, Kekana 64’)
Black Leopards (0) 0
Teams:
Celtic: Tignyemb, Hlela, Mathoho, Kekana, Kerspuy (Motshegwa 82’), Moleko, Mshengu (Venter 80’), Nthethe, Spandeel, Mulenga, Bacela (Mofokeng 83’)
Leopards: Omony; Khoza, Nyirenda, Xakane, Bobe, Mabunda, Mabusela, Monama, Mongalo (Zulu 46’), Masuku, Ramogaoela