Bloemfontein – Bloemfontein Celtic recorded their first win of the season at home when they beat Platinum Stars 2-1 in an Absa Premiership match at the Free State Stadium on Wednesday.
The tightly contested match was poorly attended. Celtic drew first blood via striker Siyabonga Nontshinga in the 4th minute after receiving a neat pass from Joel Mogorosi.
But the lead did not last long as Benson Mhlongo levelled matters in the 11th minute, tapping in with ease after capitalising on a blunder by keeper Patrick Tignyemb.
Celtic returned from the break searching for the winning goal.
Celtic's striker Lennox Bacela came off the bench in the second segment to restore the lead in the 67th minute, beating Stars keeper Siyabonga Mpontshane and connecting a neat pass from Ruzaigh Gamaldien.
The result was morale-boosting for the home side after their 3-2 defeat by Black Leopards in their opening fixture of the season. Stars were looking to build momemtum after their 3-1 win over Moroka Swallows.
The two sides squandered a few scoring chances in the both halves of the match. Mhlongo's powerful shot bounced off the upright back into play with the keeper well beaten, but there was no-one available to capitalise. – Sapa