Celtic, Chiefs draw 2-2
Steve Komphela’s return to FNB Stadium ended in a thrilling 2-2 Absa Premiership draw for his new team, Bloemfontein Celtic, against old side Kaizer Chiefs.
Chiefs’ headline signing Khama Billiat scored his third goal of the season in the 37th minute. Khotso Malope, promoted last year and playing his first game of the campaign, scored his first Amakhosi goal in the 64th minute of what seemed to be headed for a stylish victory for Chiefs.
But, after doing all the hard work, Chiefs’ defensive issues were exposed as substitute Menzi Masuku pulled one back for Celtic in the 76th, and the industrious Ndumiso Mabena stunned Amakhosi with a longrange equaliser three minutes later.
In a nervy start under new coach Giovanni Solinas that drew much scepticism, things have appeared to look up for Amakhosi.
Their 2-2 draw away against SuperSport United in Sunday’s first leg of their MTN8 semifinal put Chiefs in a good position to reach a cup final under Solinas in less than 10 matches.
Most encouraging is the football in attack. However poor defensive organisation is proving costly.
As against SuperSport some promising Chiefs passing to attractively work their way to a 20 lead was let down by poor communication at the back and Celtic’s late stunners.
Malope came into Solinas’ starting XI for Bongolethu Jayiya for just a fifth Chiefs cap. Bruce Bvuma was in goal for Itumeleng Khune with a hand injury.
Amakhosi were value for their goal’s lead by the break. Celtic always looked dangerous on the counter and had their chances, but they came against the flow.
In the 13th minute Siphelele Ntshangase’s cross was backheeled by Leonardo Castro to skim the right upright. A Dumisani Zuma curler thudded onto the bar.
Chiefs’ opener was classy. Ntshangase provided the champagne pass from the middle that put Billiat down the left. The forward held off Tshepo Rikhotso cutting inside and finished low past Patrick Tignyemb in goals for Celtic.
Chiefs continued to turn on the style to pin Celtic back in the second half, and from another sweeping movement Castro slipped Malope down the right to chip Tignyemb.
Substitute Masuku played a one-two with Mabena that looped over the head of Daniel Cardoso for the former to rifle past Bvuma. Mabena haunted Chiefs seconds later with an equaliser.
● At Princess Magogo stadium, visiting Polokwane City held Golden Arrows to a 1-1 draw. Nkanyiso Mngwengwe scored for the hosts in the first half while the evergreen Rodney Ramagalela replied for City with four minutes to go to half time.
Celtic always looked dangerous on the counter and had their chances, but they came against the flow