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amakhosi pip game celtic

ROADBLOCK: Kaizer Chiefs' Jose Torrealba is tightly marked by Bloemfontein Celtic's midfielder John Maduka in thier Premiership match at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium yesterday. Pic. Lefty Shivamby29/10/2008. © Gallo Images
ROADBLOCK: Kaizer Chiefs' Jose Torrealba is tightly marked by Bloemfontein Celtic's midfielder John Maduka in thier Premiership match at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium yesterday. Pic. Lefty Shivamby29/10/2008. © Gallo Images

Sowetan Reporters

Sowetan Reporters

Kaizer Chiefs salvaged some pride when they beat a game Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 in an exciting Absa Premiership match at the packed Seisa Ramabodu Stadium yesterday.

The game started at a fast pace with both sides fighting for an early lead. Celtic had the upper hand in the early stages but allowed Chiefs to come back into the match and invade their opponents' goal area.

Phunya SeleSele apparently planned the game around Chiefs' striker Jose Torrealba, who was tightly marked.

Celtic's duo of Moses Spandeel and Patrick Malokase threatened Amakhosi whenever in possession but this did not result in goals.

In the 41st minute with only Itumeleng Khune to beat, Spandeel's header was off the mark. A minute later Chiefs midfielder David Mathebula shot wide from Gert Schalkwyk's header.

Celtic's John Maduka was outstanding and his experience helped his team as he refused to allow Chiefs to control the midfield. He also fell back regularly to assist in defence.

Chiefs introduced Tshepo Bulu for Mathebula in the second half but the youngster went on to miss a number of scoring chances.

Then Thuso Phala initiated a move from the middle of the park and put through Siphiwe Tshabalala who hit the back of the net for Chiefs in the 72nd minute.

Celtic's heartache was compounded by the sending off of Ditheko Mototo for a second bookable offence after the goal.

l Lamontville Golden Arrows let slip a two-goal lead in the first half and allowed Thanda Royal Zulu to stage a second-half recovery to force a 2-all draw at King Zwelithini Stadium in another match played yesterday.

Richard Henyekane put Arrows in the lead with a right-footed shot in the 37th minute.

Manqoba Mngqithi's side continued to surge forward after the goal and were rewarded handsomely for their efforts when Kagisho Dikgacoi added the second two minutes later.

But Arrows seemed to lose concentration in the second stanza and allowed Amabhubesi's crack forward Bernard Parker to score two goals. Parker, who is said to have impressed top Swedish club IFK Malmo in trials last week, headed the first goal in the 52nd minute, before claiming the equaliser in the 68th minute.

l AmaZulu registered their second win of the season when they beat pre-match favourites Ajax Cape Town 2-0 in a drama-filled match at Princess Magogo Stadium

Usuthu scored two goals on the stroke of half-time through Sthembiso Dlamini and Collins Chabalala. The match was abandoned about 20 minutes from time as Ajax refused to continue with play, claiming that it was dark.

There was a light rain at that time but the match resumed after 20 minutes and AmaZulu managed to hold on to their lead.

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