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Cape Town - Bloemfontein Celtic suffered their fourth straight loss in the Absa Premiership after going down 2-1 to Free State Stars in a league match at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
A brace from Sello Japhta condemned Celtic to their tenth loss of the season as they hover only five points above the relegation zone in 12th place with 22 points.
Free State, on the other hand, moved into the top half of the table in eighth place with 31 points.
It was a cagey opening 20 minutes with neither side able to create any clear cut chances on goal.
The game sprang into life in the 24th minute with Ea Lla Koto taking the lead courtesy of a powerful 20-yard strike by Japhta, 1-0.
Celtic were able to draw level in the 37th minute from the penalty spot after Thapelo Morena was brought down inside the box by Bokang Thlone.
Fiston Abduol Razak scored from the spot to make it 1-1 going into the half-time break.
Five minutes after the break Makhehlene Makhaula almost restored Free State’s lead, but his 20-yard shot struck the outside of the post.
In the 63rd minute Japhta probably scored one of the goals of the season after dribbling his way past three defenders before coolly passing the ball home from 14-yards out, 2-1.
Celtic tried to find their way back into the game after that, but the Free State defence stood firm and picked up all three points.
