Santos bag first victory

Cape Town - Santos registered their first points of the season as they edged to a 2-1 win over Bloemfontein Celtic at the Athlone Stadium.

On a calm spring evening, the home side had to weather a late storm as Phunya Sele Sele, backed by their usual, passionate fans, pushed hard for an equaliser.

Having found themselves on the back-foot during the opening five minutes, the Cape side began to find their rhythm and had chances through Phikolomzi Kefile, whose swerving volley was tipped over the bar by Patrick Tignyemb, while Siyabulela Songwiqi came close with an angled drive on 20 minutes.

Tshepo Motsoeneng then made an excellent reflex save to keep out Lennox Bacela, the former Santos man having been played in by Phenyo Mongalo.

The Peoples' Team took the lead in the 29th minute when Songwiqi raced into the box and forced Mongalo into a foul which saw referee Thabo Nkosi pointing to the spot.

Songwiqi had no problem in slotting home the penalty to register his first goal for the Cape side.

The only other chance of note in the first stanza fell to Bacela, whose snap shot was easily gathered by Motsoeneng.

The opening stages of the second stanza were evenly balanced as the game remained tight.

Santos needed the cushion of a second goal and this arrived in the 65th minute when Vuyisile Wana flew down the left wing and struck a low shot goal wards. Tignyemb should have saved it, but got his judgement wrong.

The visiting team were given hope five minutes later when Clifford Mulenga scored - arriving late at the back post to send Mongalo's cross into the roof of the net.

Phunya Sele Sele rallied hard for an equaliser, but the Santos defence, aided by Motsoeneng's 85th minute save from Bacela's stinging drive, held firm.

Teams:

Santos: (4-4-2) Motsoeneng; Basie, W Arendse, van Beulen, Skippers; Armogam (T Arendse 60‘), Kefile (Macala 81‘), Chimodzi, Songwiqi; Isaacs, Wana (Rodgers 87’)

Celtic: (4-4-2) Tignyemb; Hlongwa, Nthethe, Mathotho, Hlela (Mofokeng 84‘); Mulenga, Gamildien (Spandeel 56‘), Madubanye, Kerspuy; Mongalo, Bacela