Sundowns make it two wins from 10 matches
● Mamelodi Sundowns’ performance lacked conviction but the verdict from their singing supporters was unequivocal.
Coach Pitso Mosimane will not care much about the unconvincing manner of this victory against stubborn Bloemfontein Celtic in the last 16 of the Telkom Knockout but he will be happy they have registered a second victory in 10 matches in all competitions.
The Brazilians were on the back of a poor run of results since August in which they won only once in nine matches, including exits from the Caf Champions League at the hands of Wydad Casablanca and the MTN8 to Cape Town City.
The only goal arrived on the hour from the boot of midfielder Gaston Sirino to make up for many squandered opportunities.
For the goal, Sirino did enough to beat advancing Tignyemb from inside the box after he received a long-range pass from Ricardo Nascimento.
With a quarterfinal place negotiated, Sundowns shift their focus to the Absa Premiership where they are up against Chippa United on Saturday. Celtic will be at home to Braroka FC the following day.
Sundowns were first to settle on a chilly Atteridgeville evening as they attacked Celtic in the early stages but were not able to convert the chances that they created.
Sundowns midfielders in the form of Hlompho Kekana, Andile Jali, Lebohang Maboe and Themba Zwane dictated terms in the midfield but Toni Silva and Sirino did not make full use of the balls supplied to them.
Though the Brazilians dominated in the first half, Celtic also had a few chances but Victor Letsoalo, Ndumiso Mabena and Kabelo Dlamini could not get the better of Denis Onyango for the home side.
Most impressive for Celtic was central midfielder Phalane Lantshene, who tried to make them play by switching play with longrange passes despite Kekana and Jali always looking to close him down.
Sundowns continued the second half in the same way they ended the first, and in the 50th minute Zwane was the guilty party as he blasted his shot wide with only Celtic goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb to beat.