POLOKWANE – Two goals by Ndumiso Mabena earned Bloemfontein Celtic their first win of the season in a 2-1 league victory over Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday night.
The former Orlando Pirates striker hit the net in the seventh and 72nd minutes, with Rodney Ramagalela netting for the Limpopo hosts on 28 minutes.
The early action was lively as both teams showed good intent and purpose in terms of getting forward and attacking.
It was the visiting side, though, who were to make it count in front of goal, when newly-signed marksman Ndumiso Mabena got in behind the Rise and Shine defence in the seventh minute before slotting past George Chigova.
Polokwane looked to try and fight their way back into the game, but when they did get through on goal, Phunya Sele Sele keeper Patrick Tignyemb was in solid form.
The match was back on level terms just before the half-hour mark when on-form Rise and Shine forward Ramagalela showed pace and a cool head in front of goal to score his third of the season.
Celtic were able to wrestle back the initiative for the closing minutes of the first half, but there were no clear openings on goal as several long-range efforts flew harmlessly over goal.
The game swung back the way of the home side after the restart, although they were unable to prise open the Free State’s team rearguard.
But instead it was Mabena who broke the home supporters’ hearts when he pounced in the box around 20 minutes from time with the winner.
Apart from a late surge by the hosts, Phunya Sele Sele did not have too much trouble holding on for victory as City lost their first league match of the campaign.