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Rulani Mokwena, Manqoba Mngqithi and Steve Komphela (Image courtesy of Mamelodi Sundowns’ Twitter account)
Bloemfontein Celtic assured a shock 1-0
victory over Mamelodi sundowns in their MTN8 quarterfinal clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.
Victor Letsoalo scored the only goal of the game in the 69th minute to eliminate the triple winners of the 2019/20 season and secure Celtic’s place in the competition’s semifinals.
It was the first competitive match for the Sundowns coaching duo. Manqoba Mngqithi Y Rulani Mokwena, beside Steve Komphela.
Nyiko Mobbie, Haashim Domingo and Peter Shalulile debuted with Downs, who largely dominated the opening exchanges.
Ricardo Nascimento came close to opening the scoring in the fifth minute, but Celtic Jackson goalkeeper Mabokgwane made a strong save before Motebang Sera cleared the rebound down the line.
A long-range effort from Shalulile was very wide a minute later, as Sundowns looked to make the most of some good early pressure.
Motebang should have done better when the ball fell into Sundowns’ box in the 20th minute, but his control disappointed him and he missed the opportunity.
Gaston Sirino was next with a chance for the Brazilians at the half-hour mark when he threw a Lyle Lakay cross into goal, but Mabokgwane was available to stop before Thato Lingwati completed the punt.
Shalulile had the ball in the back of the net when he headed home on a free kick in the 44th minute, but the effort was correctly ruled out for offside.
Sundowns remained dominant after the break, but failed to convert several half chances and was ultimately punished when Letsoalo drove home at the back post from a set piece to leave Downs stopper Denis Onyango without a chance.
Soon after, Hlompho Kekana slammed a poisonous shot off the Celtic crossbar and as the shot beat Mabokgwane the ball bounced off the goal line and drifted away.
With the match ending, Tumelo Mangweni had a great run but was only able to shoot at the side net, while Kermit Erasmus swerved with a shot around the corner.
In the end, it was a loss and elimination for the Premiership champions, while Celtic will face SuperSport United in their semi-final tie.
– TEAMtalk Media
