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Cape Town - Bloemfontein Celtic recorded a hard-fought 2-0 win over Chippa United in their opening match of the 2018/19 Absa Premiership season on Sunday.
As it happened: Bloemfontein Celtic v Chippa United
Tebogo Potsane broke the deadlock at the Dr Molemela Stadium on 41 minutes before a second on target in the 56th minute from Tshegofatso Mabaso.
The home side were quickest out of the blocks, with Lantshene Phalane able to get a shot away in the opening minute, although he pulled the left-footed effort wide.
Kurt Lentjies looked to deliver early from wide areas before flashing a shot from the edge of the area off target on five minutes.
Steve Komphela's Celtic were looking to get forward quickly, and Mabaso was played in on goal but failed to test Chippa's Daniel Akpeyi, before Frederic Nsabiyumva headed over minutes later.
The half chances kept coming, with Mbhazima Rikhotso wide at the other end before another Lentjies effort, inches away from the right upright.
It was Celtic to finally find the mark, at an ideal time, just before the break, through Potsane from a sweetly struck shot.
Chippa responded with a Mbenyane header that floated past the left post, but Celtic only appeared to grow in the second half, as Ronald Pfumbidzai smashed a shot over an exposed Akpeyi.
And they were soon further ahead, on 54 minutes as Mabaso fired home from the penalty spot after Thabo Nthethe's clumsy challenge in the area.
Mbenyane was unable to direct a 58th minute header on goal while Phalane's left-footed shot on was well held by Patrick Tignyemb.
A raft of second-half chances disrupted the flow of the tie somewhat, and while Chippa probed for a goal, it was Celtic who saw out the game to claim three points from their first match of the new season.
