HOW THINGS EVENTUALLY WOUND UP

BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC DRAW TO REMAIN IN THE PREMIERSHIP

MARITZBURG United and Bloemfontein Celtic drew 1-1 in an Absa Premiership match at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The draw sees the Team of Choice finish the season on the seventh spot on the league standings, while Phunya Sele Sele remain 12th.

Celtic were rewarded for their efforts when they pushed forward in numbers in the 35th minute and Tshegofatso Mabasa scored with a left-footed effort to make it 1-0 to his side.

However, it took only three minutes for Lebohang Maboe to level matters for the Team of Choice in the second-half following a good move by the hosts. The midfielder beat Celtic’s Cameroonian shot-stopper to make it 1-1 with a right-footed finish with Siphesihle Ndlovu providing an assist.

POLOKWANE TOO GOOD FOR CT CITY, RUN OUT 4-2 WINNERS

JABULANI Maluleke, Thabiso Semenya, Sibusiso Mbonani and Vusi Mngomezulu’s goals gave Polokwane City a 4-2 win over Cape Town City as they wrapped their 2016/17 Absa Premiership campaign at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In the wake of the win, the hosts now sit at number six with 43 points from 30 league matches as they qualify for the MTN8 for the first time in their history.

On the other hand, Aubrey Ngoma and Lehlohonolo Majoro’s goals were not enough for the Mother City side to claim the full three points.

The visiting Citizens had a bright start as they put their hosts under pressure from the first whistle. Ngoma netted for the Telkom Knockout champions from a well-struck set piece in the first minute to beat goalkeeper George Chigova.

Five minutes later, Majoro doubled their lead when he finished a beautiful assist from his skipper Lebogang Manyama.

With the hosts trying to dominate the proceedings, they pushed defender Robyn Johannes to commit a foul and skipper Jabulani Maluleke scored from a fine set piece in the 18th minute. Then with five minutes to go to half-time, Semenya made it 2-2 for the hosts as he finished off Sipho Jembula’s delivery. It was 2-2 at the interval.

However, Bernard Molekwa’s men bounced back with more hunger as they claimed a lead through Mbonani, who converted from Maluleke’s corner kick in the 50th minute. In the 71st minute, Mngomezulu proved to be a super sub when he made it

4-2 for Rise and Shine as they dominated the proceedings.

DIKWENA MISSES OUT ON TOP EIGHT DESPITE WIN

A SOLITARY goal from Bonginkosi Ntuli helped Platinum Stars to a 1-0 win over SuperSport United in their final Absa Premiership match on Saturday afternoon. The loss for the Nedbank Cup champions sees them sitting at number five on the log table with 48 points from 30 league matches. Two minutes into the second half Ntuli broke the deadlock for Dikwena as he finished from close range with a beautiful left footed shot, 1-0. The Tshwane giants put more numbers forward as they tried to grab an equaliser, but Hoffman and his defence stood firm at the back.

ARROWS EDGE PIRATES TO MAKE TOP EIGHT

GOLDEN Arrows defeated Orlando Pirates 2-1 in an Absa Premiership match in Durban on Saturday afternoon. The victory sees Abafana Bes’thende finish the season in eighth spot on the league table. The Buccaneers, who remain 11th on the standings, finishing outside the top eight for the first time in the PSL era.

Mpho Makola’s effort from a corner-kick was headed home by his Bucs teammate Thamsanqa Gabuza, who made it 1-0 to Pirates, a lead they held till the break.

In the second half a mistake by at the back saw Lerato Lamola pouncing and the Arrows striker hit the back of the net to make it 1-1 on the hour-mark. Eventually, Knox Mutizwa proved to be a super-sub as he scored with a chip to seal Arrows’ 2-1 victory with Mabokgwane well beaten in stoppage time.

WITS LIFT TITLE DESPITE LOSS TO CHIEFS

CHAMPIONS Bidvest Wits lifted the 2016/17 season ABSA Premiership title in their match which they lost 1-0 against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday afternoon.

The newly-crowned Absa Premiership champions still looked to be nursing their hangover celebrations as they struggled to hold onto the ball in the first half. Instead, Chiefs controlled the flow of play and had numerous chances in front of goal but it was only late into injury time that Gustavo Paez eventually found the back of the net after turning home a cross from substitute George Lebese.