Orlando Pirates (0) 2
Bacela 56, Jali 90+1pen
Bloemfontein Celtic (1) 3
Ntanga 39, Nthethe 66, Nyatama 89pen
Johannesburg - Rain-drenched and outclassed, Pirates remained rooted at the bottom of the Absa Premiership on Saturday night, Celtic picking up a fantastic first win for Ernst Middendorp.
Phunya Sele Sele were excellent both in the dry in the first half, and in the pouring storm in the second, mercurial midfield talent Musa Nyatama capping off a cracking display with a decisive penalty.
Pirates were woeful at the back, badly missing suspended captain Happy Jele and injured Rooi Mahamutsa, and if they found a little fight after the break, momentarily leveling through Lennox Bacela, Roger De Sa’s men could have no complaints about the defeat.
Pirates have plenty of games in hand on the rest after their Champions League travails and will no doubt climb up the table, but looking tired from their African adventure, the size of the task of winning the title already looks daunting.
For Celtic, this was only their second league win of the season and a first under Middendorp following four successive draws.
The Buccaneers were slightly decimated in defence, with Jele out suspended and Mahamutsa, Siyabonga Sangweni and Patrick Phungwayo all on the injury list.
This meant that De Sa handed Mbongeni Gumede, 20, his Buc-caneers debut at right-back. Oupa Manyisa was also out injured, Thandani Ntshumayelo partnering Andile Jali in central midfield, though De Sa welcomed back Daine Klate and Kermit Erasmus after they missed the midweek win over Maritzburg United.
Middendorp made two changes from Celtic’s 1-1 draw at AmaZulu on November 10 – Wandisile Letlabika was preferred to Keagan Buchanan, while young Malawian striker Gabadinho Mhango got his first Celtic start ahead of Rodrick Mutuma.
Early signs that Pirates’ new man Gumede might struggle were there early on as he flew into a poor challenge on Mhango and was lucky not to receive a yellow card.
Celtic striker Mhango, 21, looked sprightly from the off, running good lines at the Buccaneers defence. He won a couple of free kicks on the edge of the box.
Manyisa’s energy in midfield was badly missed by Bucs and the effervescent Nyatama was in the mood to take full advantage, him, John Arwuah, Ntanga and Letlabika dominating the midfield areas as the first half progressed.
Celtic could have been four or five goals up by the break but were horribly wasteful in front of goal.
Nyatama missed the target after a delightful flick by Lerato Manzini, and Letlabika, Manzini and Mhango all failed with only Senzo Meyiwa to beat, Pirates’ back four all too easily ripped to shreds.
And Phunya Sele Sele deservedly took the lead with probably their most difficult chance of the night, Ntanga’s wonderful volley leaving Meyiwa clutching at thin air.
Almost as soon as the second half kicked off, the heavens opened on Orlando and a massive storm sent many of a small crowd scampering. Pirates, however, improved in the rain, Gumede forcing Tignyemb to push away his rasping drive.
And Pirates were level as Bacela raced into the area, capitalising on a Tignyemb slip to slot into an empty net, a good finish from a tight angle.
Celtic, however, kept on coming at Pirates and Manzini lashed a shot wide before Nyatama ran through on goal and went down under the challenge of Meyiwa. Referee Nasief Julius allowed a good advantage, Manzini crossing for Thabo Nthethe to slot home from close range.
Gumede’s evening then had a dreadful end as he brought Celtic substitute Lerato Lamola down inside the box. Nyatama made no mistake from the spot, and though Jali also netted from the spot late on, after Nthethe brought down Collins Mbesuma, it was not enough for Pirates.
Sunday Independent