Bloemfontein Celtic 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns: Shalulile the hero as Brazilians conclude away fixtures
The Namibian headed home two goals past goalkeeper Mpoto who was lucky not to concede from two glaring mistakes
Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns completed their away 2020/21 assignments with a 2-0 win against Bloemfontein Celtic at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Wednesday.
Peter Shalulile struck in either half as the Brazilians picked three points in the penultimate fixture of a season they were dominant in.
In the fifth minute, Celtic got the first shot of the game when Neo Maema set up Lucky Baloyi whose effort was stopped by a crowded Mamelodi Sundowns backline.
Mothobi Mvala got the first shot for the Brazilians in the seventh minute, but as the ball was rolled towards Motupa Gift Motupa, Mondli Mpoto reacted quickly to collect the loose ball. In the 11th minute, the champions opened the scoring through Shalulile who capitalised on a rebound to score. Lyle Lakay set up Haashim Domingo who took a shot that was blocked, but Shalulile was lurking around to head home from the rebound.
Zambian goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene did well by diving to his left-hand side and saving a low drive from a free-kick by Celtic’s Maema in the 17th minute. After conceding, the home side did not sit back and asked serious questions on the Sundowns defence. Rushine De Reuck made important clearances in the 26th minute as Celtic swarmed the visitors’ area.
The Brazilians reacted and pushed Celtic into their own half again and in the 39th minute, Gaston Sirino led a counter-attack, found Motupa on the left but he was stopped by a raised offside flag. In the 44th minute, Mvala attempted a shot from the edge of the box but Mpoto was equal to the challenge as he collected the direct shot.
Celtic started the second half a better side but received a blow in the 47th minute when Maema was injured and Sundowns’ Shalulile carried him to the touchline for medical attention.
Celtic’s experienced Mpoto almost gave Sundowns the second goal when he took too long and sent the ball straight to Motupa in an attempt to make a late clearance. Motupa’s effort deflected off the post as Celtic emerged from the scare that was caused by their custodian at the hour mark.
Mpoto again was at fault a minute later when he invited Mvala but the Sundowns star fouled him as they tussled for the ball. His two errors almost gave out his side, who had begun the second half a more determined side.
The champions grabbed another goal in the 65th minute when Shalulile scored his second of the evening. Lakay did well to spot the Namibian after a short corner and the striker did well to beat Mpoto with a header from inside the box.
In an attempt to contain Sundowns, Celtic made changes with the introduction of Jabulani Ncobeni, Lantshene Phalane, Sera Motebang and Tumelo Njoti for Tebogo Potsane, Given Mashikinya, Ndumio Mabena and Harris Tchilimbou respectively in the 72nd minute.
The visitors made their substitutions in the 78th minute as Mauricio Affonso, Lesedi Kapinga and George Maluleka replaced Motupa, Domingo and Mvala. A good chance beckoned for Celtic in the 80th minute when Tshepo Rikhotso laid the ball on Victor Letsoala’s path, who did not finish from the cross that was not so good either.
A huge chance for Siwelele went to waste in the 84th minute when the visitors failed to clear, giving Thato Lingwati a chance to attempt a shot on goal, but the South African sent the ball slightly over the bar. Sundowns made another substitution in the 85th minute, with Grant Margeman replacing Sirino, and they eventually won the tie.
