Resilient Celtic holds Downs to draw

Mamelodi Sundowns were left dismayed by a controversial offside decision as they ultimately failed to break down a resilient Bloemfontein Celtic at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium yesterday.

The match ended goalless, with Celtic themselves wasting a glorious chance in the second half through Tebogo Potsane.

But it was a moment about 10 minutes from time that had Pitso Mosimane wagging his finger.

Substitute Ali Meza sent in a cross that Patrick Tignyemb could only turn into the path of Lebo Maboe, who turned the ball home and ran off to celebrate, only to be stunned by an assistant referee’s flag. Themba Zwane was in an offside position, but did not touch the ball, and whether he could have been deemed to be interfering with play was highly debatable.

“We won the game ... but what can you do?” Mosimane told SuperSport TV after the match.

The result was another feather in the cap for Steve Komphela and his side, who continue to perform admirably despite their much-reported financial woes.

Denis Onyango had to make a couple of decent saves, one from Lorenzo Gordinho’s second half header. And Celtic might have taken all the points in the 73rd minute as Potsane raced clear, but he skewed his effort wide off the target.

It was Sundowns’ third league draw in their last four matches. Celtic remain four points clear of the Brazilians, and climbed above Kaizer Chiefs into third in the table.