Broke Celtic no match for loaded Downs
Pitso wins battle of the dugouts
The clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtic was a battle of those who have and those who don’t, with the affluent transcending as they marched to the quarterfinals of the Telkom Knockout yesterday.
The Brazilians narrowly edged the financially struggling Celtic 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Gaston Sirino in the 60th minute.
The clubs have contrasting financial fortunes with Celtic struggling to pay salaries every month while have overflowing resources thanks to their billionaire boss Patrice Motsepe.
The conditions in Atteridgeville were cold and windy, and the only thing that could warm things up was an inferno of goals.
It was a hard fought battle of technicians between Sundowns’ Pitso Mosimane and Steve Komphela of Celtic.
Sundowns are having to live with the reality of being without their influential playmaker Sibusiso Vilakazi, who picked up an injury while on duty with Bafana Bafana. They were able to switch their formation with Hlompho Kekana and Andile Jali in central midfield while Gaston Sirino and Lebohang Maboe attacked.
Celtic played a compact game with Lantshene Phalane and Given Mashikinya in midfield clearing any threatening ball from the opposition attack.
Phunya Sele Sele were not providing the right balls through the channels for striker Ndumiso Mabena.
In the 37th minute Mabena got a clear sight of goal but his shot hit Sundowns’ rock solid defender Ricardo Nascimento.
The Brazilians shrugged off the cold weather to take control of the match in the second half. Instigated by Sirino who had two consecutive clear scoring opportunities after the interval.
The Uruguayan would make up for his missed chances with a goal on the half hour mark.
The home side used their quality to edge past the Free State outfit and move on to the last eight.