Pelembe, Parker’s goals reminiscent of Masinga’s ‘97 pile-driver

Free State Stadium Bloemfontein Celtic (1) Pelembe 35 Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 Parker 64 IT WAS PERHAPS fitting that the goals scored in this match were brilliant pile-drivers – after all yesterday marked the 18th anniversary of South Africa’s maiden qualification for the World Cup.

And the discerning football follower would no doubt remember just what a fantastic strike it was that saw Bafana Bafana book their ticket to France 1998.

Back in 1997 on August 16, Phil Masinga scored a scorcher of a goal to help South Africa beat Zaire 1-0 to qualify for football’s greatest spectacle for the first time.

Granted none of these two teams booked their place in the MTN8 final yesterday, with the second leg still to come at the end of the month and the game very evenly poised.

But the goals were worthy of a spot in the final alright!

First to get the crowd on their feet was Celtic debutant Helder Pelembe – the Mozambican striker on loan from Orlando Pirates.

Ten minutes before the break, Pelembe did what is generally considered unthinkable in the local game – beat Itumeleng Khune from range. But with Keagan Buchanan having come on for another Celtic debutant in Lantshene Phalane and pulling strings for the home side, the Chiefs defence were left open and Khune exposed.

Picking the ball up from the edge of the box, Pelembe unleashed a scorcher that went in at the post past a sprawled Khune who collected a lot of air into his gloves.

It was a goal good enough to see Celtic go to the break enjoying the lead although they had goalkeeper and Man-of-theMatch Patrick Tignyemb to thank for being ahead.

The Cameroonian literally kept Chiefs from scoring in the first half as he pulled off no less than three good saves.

As early as the second minute he ensured a good Chiefs attack yielded nothing when he denied George Lebese with a fantastic save after the midfielder got to the end of a great move.

He was at it five minutes later, this time parrying away a point blank shot by Chiefs cap- tain Siphiwe Tshabalala. In the final minute his double-footed block was on hand to stop Parker making up for an earlier uncharacteristic penalty miss.

The Chiefs striker incredibly ballooned his spot kick into row 13 behind the Celtic goal with the home fans cheering and no doubt declaring poetic justice.

Chiefs had been given the spot kick after Siphelele Mthembu appeared to dive somewhat dramatically following attention from Bevan Fransman inside the box.

Whistleman Robert Smith was running back top let the home side take a goalkick only to turn back after seeing his assistant on the near side Peter Rabophara pointing the to spot.

Tignyemb made another brilliant save seven minutes after the break to deny Siphelele Mthembu.

But there was nothing he could do to deny Parker redeeming himself just after the hour mark as the striker lashed at the ball that was headed down on to his path by Lebese.

Like Masinga’s strike back in 1997, the ball had goal written all over it the moment it left his boot and, even on as good a day as he had yesterday, Tignyemb was helpless.