Bloemfontein – Bloemfontein Celtic redeemed themselves when they beat AmaZulu 1-0 in an Absa Premiership game played at the Free State Stadium on Sunday.
The goal, courtesy of roving goal-poacher Lerato Manzini came in the 91st minutes of the game in which both teams' strikers missed golden scoring chances. The Celtic striker beat the Usuthu keeper with a powerful shot after receving a neat pass by header from midfielder Ruzaigh Gamaldien.
The Celtic victory was morale-boosting as the team were still reeling from their 2-1 defeat by high-flying Maritzburg United in a mid-week game played away.
Both sides lacked fire in the entire first half, creating numerous chances but failing to convert any of them from corner kicks and set-pieces awarded.
AmaZulu's Marc Van Heerden saw his powerful shot in the 11th minute, taken outside the box, dealt with by Celtic keeper Patrick Tignyemb who parried for a corner kick.
AmaZulu's Sifiso Dlamini had a chance to break the deadlock but the striker failed to convert in the 14th minute after rounding the keeper and needing just to place inside the net.
The Usuthu striker lost possesion and took a dive, earning himself a booking by referee Phillip Tinyani.
In a bid to raise their game, both teams made three substitutions in the second stanza, with Celtic introducing Lyle Lekay, Jacky Motsegwa and Manzini, who grabbed the winning goal.
AmaZulu brought on Kagisho Senamela, Nyiko Tshabangu and Goodman Dlamini. However, the visitors did not profit and return home beaten. – Sapa