Weakened SuperSport crash to Celtic

Michaelson Gumede

Bloemfontein Celtic knocked Eric Tinkler and his SuperSport United side out of the Nedbank Cup as Jelusic Veselin’s side beat Matsatsantsa 5-4 on penalties yesterday at the Dr Molemela Stadium after a 1-1 draw.

Skipper Patrick Tignyemb was the hero as he saved one penalty and converted the final spot-kick to land the knockout out blow to put his side into the last-16 of the trophy which they have won just once – 33 years ago when it was still known as the Mainstay Cup.

Tinkler did say the Nedbank Cup is not a priority this season, instead, he is more focused on improving their performances in the Absa Premiership.

He made nine changes from the side that beat Celtic 4-2 in the league a fortnight ago in Pretoria.

Before Tignyemb’s heroics in the penalty shootout, Matsatsantsa A Pitori’s goal-minder Thakasani Mbanjwa marked his senior debut with a brilliant penalty save, denying Mbhazima Rikhotso’s 17th-minute spot-kick in regulation time.

However, the 21-year-old could not reproduce similar heroics to prevent a Ndumiso Mabena penalty 18 minutes later after Onismor Bhasera brought down Menzi Masuku to concede the second spot-kick. A different-looking Matsatsantsa side fought back towards the hour mark courtesy of a thunderous Sipho Mbule header to draw the sides level at 1-1.

Mabena had an opportunity to seal the win for Celtic in the final 20 minutes of normal time when he benefited from Sepana Letsoalo’s threaded ball past SuperSport central defender Azubuike Egwuekwe, beating Mbanjwa with a delightful chip, which unfortunately bounced agonisingly wide of goal.

The sides have now played each other four times this season, twice in the league, where SuperSport beat Phunya Sele Sele 4-2 in the second match after a 1-1 draw in the first round.

The duo also met in the Telkom Knockout Cup where Celtic defeated United on penalties in the quarterfinals on their way to the final.