|
Celtic almost let victory slip
24/02/2008 18:38 - (SA)
Bloemfontein - Bloemfontein Celtic beat AmaZulu 3-2 in an Absa Premiership match at a packed Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Sunday but almost let victory slip as the visitors scored two late goals to make the scoreline respectable.
Celtic striker Darrel Smith scored in the 4th minute, Pere Ariweriya netted an own goal and John Maduka scored a brilliant solo goal to earn all three points for Phunya Sele Sele.
Dumisani Ngwenya netted twice in extra time to give the scoreline some credibility, but his side remain dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Celtic was all over the visitors from the first whistle and earned a goal for their initial persistence as early as the 4th minute.
Supporters celebrated fervently
The AmaZulu defence tried to clear the ball, but it bounced off a Celtic player in to the path of Smith who fended off a defender before blasting the ball in to the net.
The Celtic supporters celebrated fervently and spurred their team on for the rest of the half despite AmaZulu having more possession.
The Durban side pressed on and their coach Clive Barker urged them on from the touchline and it seemed to work as Amazulu camped in the Celtic half.
They met two walls of resistance though in centre backs Gary Goldstone and Timothy Batabaire. The defensive duo was alert, determined and hard in the tackle and thwarted numerous Usuthu attacks.
The visitors threw everything forward and Barker even introduced former Bafana Bafana kingpin John Moshoeu late in the first half to add more creativity to their attack.
Celtic nevertheless remained firm in defence and quick on the counter.
Ball bounced off Kakonje
With the half-time break coming up, AmaZulu threw all their players forward and this allowed Celtic space to attack. Celtic's speedy winger collected the ball from his half, sped in to the AmaZulu half and sent in a low cross that goalkeeper Kalililo Kakonje misjudged as he tried to collect it.
The ball bounced off Kakonje and in to the path of fullback Ariweriya who slotted it into the net before Smith could get a foot to it.
Ariweriya went upfield for a corner kick and had a chance to decrease the deficit, but his free header went well wide of Posnett Omony's goalposts.
It was all AmaZulu in the second half as Moshoeu stamped his authority in midfield. Goldstone and Batabaire remained steady as the visitors camped early on in the Celtic half. Batabaire though got a yellow card for showing his studs despite winning the ball.
Smith and Lebohang Kukane got forward on occasion but failed to test Kakonje as Usuthu's defence seemed determined to not let in another goal.
Nevertheless, they could not stop Maduka from netting a brilliant goal. Just as the match was losing its sparkle, the Celtic skipper determinedly pushed forward. He played a quick one-two with Kukane and although Kakonje got a hand to his strike, it flew in to the back of the net and with less than 30 minutes to play it seemed there was no way back for Usuthu.
Former star forced a fine save
The hosts started toying with their opponents and their fans loved the entertainment applauding wildly. On the other side the 42-year old Moshoeu played with the energy of an 18-year old, but despite his influence, AmaZulu could not beat Osmony.
The former Kaizer Chiefs star forced a fine save from Osmony in the 77t minute and AmaZulu kept on fighting.
They were rewarded when Ngwenya netted twice in extra time as Celtic went to sleep, but with little time left they could do no more as Celtic held on for all three points.
Other league results on Sunday:
Wits 3 - Mamelodi Sundowns 2
Santos 2 - Orlando Pirates 1
Ajax Cape Town 1 - Jomo Cosmos 0.
- SAPA
|
