Moroka Swallows were held to a 1-1 draw by Bloemfontein Celtic in an Absa Premiership game at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Edward Manqele opened the scoring before Mogogi Gabonamong levelled matters for the Free State outfit. The Dube Birds have yet to win a game in 2014.
After an uncertain opening 16 minutes Edward Manqele opened the scoring for the hosts.
The on-loan Mamelodi Sundowns marksman broke free from his marker before nodding Lerato Chabangu’s corner-kick past Tignyemb.
Greg Etafia was forced into a top-class save five minutes later. The Nigerian shot stopper somehow kept out Keagan Buchanan’s swirling free-kick from just outside the area.
The Dube Birds somehow survived a goalmouth scramble before Siyabonga Nomvethe squandered a glorious chance to double the hosts lead on the cusp of half-time.
‘Bhele’ could only manage to direct Vuyisile Wana’s precise cross wide of Tignyemb’s from close range after managing to sneak in behind Clayton Daniels.
Siwelele levelled matter four minutes into the second stanza through Mogogi Gabonamong. The Botswana native’s powerful effort from range giving Greg Etafia no chance, 1-1.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between as the game grew to an end but Patrick Tignyemb was forced into a fine save five minutes before the end.
The ball fell favourably for Giorgi Nergadze but the Georgian was unable to squeeze the ball past the Cameroon native who was quick off his line to deny the midfielder from close range.
Swallows dominated the final exchanges but were unable to find the back of the net.
The Dube Birds have yet to win since the turn of the year, the draw moves them up to 11th spot on the log while Celtic move into the top eight.
Moroka Swallows (1) 1 (Manqele 16’)
Bloemfontein Celtic (0) 1 (Gabonamong 49’)
Teams:
Moroka Swallows: Etafia; Mapemba (Mabalane 62’), Isaacs, Cohen, Lekgothoane, Tsutsulupa (Hendricks 73’), Nergadze, Wana, Chabangu (Bereng 84’), Nomvethe, Manqele
Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb; Nkausu, Bilankulu, Daniels, Letlabika, Gabonamong, Mahoa (Mogapi 46’), Buchanan (Lakay 87’), Ndengane, Mogorosi, Lamola (Mhango 66’) – Backpage Media