Bloemfontein Celtics reserve team squandered the chance to top the MultiChoice Diski Challenge log table after suffering a 2-1 loss to Polokwane City at Sinaba Stadium.
A win or at least a draw for Celtics would have been enough to put them ahead of log leaders Golden Arrows in the table standings.This comes after Arrows’ game against Chippa United which was scheduled to take place at Wolfson Stadium had to be postponed after the Lamontville-based team failed to board the flight from KwaZulu Natal to Eastern Cape.
As if there were not enough setbacks with the top two, third-place Maritzburg United also failed to capitalize on earlier misfortunes as they lost 2-0 to Kaizer Chiefs in the second game of the day.
Last season runners-up Celtics were looking to top the league table as they got proceedings underway against Polokwane City in the first encounter of the day.
The match started off rather a bit slower than anticipated with either side failing to make an impact in the early stages of the first half. However, with five minutes to go a bit of magic came to the game's delight. Just metres away from the box, Celtics' Neo Maema sold his two markers a dummy before curling a thunderbolt shot past Polokwane’s goalie Mxolisi Skei to give Siwelele the lead.
The second half was all City-Rise and Shine got the equalising goal from striker Dikgang Ngcobo after some beautiful work down the right-wing,for an easy-tap in.
Celtics chances of securing the number one spot took a huge dent as they carelessly conceded a in the penalty in the dying minutes of the game. Bantu Chingi took the responsibility and calmly slotted home to give Machete Moloto's men the lead. The game ended 2-1 to the side from Limpopo.
The much anticipated clash of the day was that between Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United. The Glamour boys were looking to end the year on a high note after a number of inconsistent performance in the past few weeks whereas counterparts third-placed Maritzburg were hoping to secure the top of the log position after an earlier slump by Celtics.
Amakhosi were the hungrier side of the two teams as they dominated The Team of Choice earlier in the game. The glamour boys eventually be paid off for their persistence. Winger Sibongiseni Hlengwa got at the end of a delightful pass, beat off his marker Sandile Dlamini with a delightful skill before unleashing past Jethren Barr. Early on into the second half things even got better for Chiefs.
Chiefs were awarded a penalty after illegal tackling from Maritzburg's defence inside theor 18-area. Given Thibedi stepped up and converted the spot-kick to give his side a 2-0 goal cushion. That very well summed up play as neither side created decent chances later on. With Chiefs holding on for their second successive win.