Celtic hold United to draw in final 2017 game

BLOEMFONTEIN Celtic and SuperSport United played to a 1-1 draw in the final Absa Premiership match of 2017, at the Dr Molemela Stadium last night.

Phunya Sele Sele claimed a firsthalf lead through Victor Letsoalo, but Matsatsantsa hit back in the second half through debutant Darren Smith. The result sees the hosts move to sixth and the visitors remain in 11th place.

Celtic nearly claimed the lead 11 minutes into the game when Ndumiso Mabena fired off a shot from the edge of the area, only to be denied by goalkeeper Riyaad Pieterse.

The subsequent corner kick produced another effort from the hosts, with Mpho Maruping getting on the end of the set piece delivery, though his header flashed just wide of the far post.

In the 15th minute Celtic were rewarded for their positive play, with Mabena providing a perfectly weighted through ball to find the run of Victor Letsoalo, who easily rounded Pieterse before tucking the ball into an empty net to make it 1-0.

United created little in reply, with their only notable attacking effort in the first half seeing Thuso Phala controlling a ball in the penalty area, but any hopes of getting away a shot were quickly crushed by Celtic ‘keeper Patrick Tignyemb.

SuperSport were better after the break, but continued to be frustrated by a disciplined Celtic defence. Aubrey Modiba went over the target just before the hour mark, while a short while after it Jeremy Brockie saw a goal-bound effort stymied by Tignyemb.

In the 73rd minute Modiba provided a fantastic cross from the left and the lively Brockie put his header just wide of the far post. But a couple of minutes later the leftback sent in another great ball and this time substitute Darren Smith converted with his head for a debut goal to make it 1-1.

Bloemfontein Celtic 15’)

SuperSport United (0) 1 (Smith 75’)

Celtic: Tignyemb, Lubisi, Ndengane, Pfumbidzai, Mashikinya (Motshegwa 89’), Maruping, Baloyi, Hotto, Mahlasela (Shikwena 77’), Mabena, Letsoalo

SuperSport: Pieterse, Kekana, Daniels, Gould, Modiba, Furman, Letsholonyane (Nhlapo 57’), Phala, Mokoena (Smith 67’), Mbule (Mokeke 83’), Brockie — © Backpage TXT (1) 1 (Letsoalo