Celtic are reacting to adversity in fine style

TOP of the PSL table, unbeaten in three matches and yet to concede a goal. You ordinarily wouldn’t associate that sentence with Bloemfontein Celtic.

Definitely not given the ownership upheavals that beset the club ahead of the season and the non-payment of salaries to players. Add to that the fact that their coach is a man who was prematurely forced out of his previous job following a pretty pathetic three-season spell, and not even Hollywood would have scripted such a beginning for Phunya Sele Sele.

Yet such can be the reaction to adversity that a team no one gave a chance to, is setting the early pace this season. Yesterday’s win was further proof of Celtic’s ability to withstand pressure, Steve Komphela’s team literally playing the entire second half on the backfoot as Pirates looked to restore parity.

But they held on alright, Patrick Tignyemb still having to collect the ball from the back of his net since the start of the new season.

He could have in injury time, but Lantshene Phalane was well-positioned to clear the ball off the line after Happy Jele had headed a corner kick past the Cameroonian goalkeeper towards the goal.

Most impressive perhaps about Celtic was their ability to maintain their shape in the face of a relentless onslaught from the Buccaneers in the second half.

Granted Komphela helped shore things up by introducing the defensive-minded Lucky Baloyi and Ryan de Jong, but that should not be allowed to take away from the fact that Alfred Ndengane and Lorenzo Gordinho were uncompromising in the heart of defence.

Ndengane in particular did well to keep a close watch on Thamsanqa Gabuza and was given the man-ofthe-match award. Their great work defensively notwithstanding, Celtic should be praised for having scored in a first half that saw them take the game to Pirates. And Tebogo Potsane was once again impressive as he fearlessly attacked the opposition and was unlucky not to get a penalty on 13 minutes.

Five minutes later Celtic scored what turned out to be the game’s only goal in spectacular fashion. Ndengane headed a corner kick against the crossbar and Bongani Sam slotted home with a fantastic overhead kick as Siyabonga Mpontshane came out to try and clear the danger.