Mulenga Strike Sinks Pirates

18 December 2011

ABSA Premiership

Date: 18 December 2011

Teams: Bloem Celtic – Orlando Pirates

Venue: Free State Stadium

Referee: Godfrey Sekopo

Ten-man Orlando Pirates failed to carry their cup form into the league as they lost 1-0 to Bloemfontein Celtic at a boiling Free State Stadium on Sunday.

Phunya Sele Sele got the winner on 14 minutes when Clifford Mulenga collected a floated cross from Thabo Nthethe and jinxed past Rooi Mahamutsa before blasting it into the top right corner.

Almost immediately Pirates hit back at the opposite end when McCarthy created some space, but the Bucs striker dragged his shot wide. He then had a free-kick in a threatening position, but failed to trouble the keeper as he drilled it straight into the wall. 

Just before the half-hour McCarthy was in the action again as he turned Ndumiso Mabena's cross towards goal, but Patrick Tignyemb produced a brilliant reaction save to deny the striker from close range.

Three minutes before the break Celtic had the ball in the back of the net thanks to Letladi Madubanya, but Clinton Larsen's men were denied the goal by the offside flag. Replays suggested the home side may have been unlucky to see the flag go up.

The second half got underway with Pirates trying hard to get back into the match and they came close when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area after Mabena was fouled by Mahoa. McCarthy's free-kick snuck through the wall, but Celtic were able to clear the ball away after a busy goalmouth scramble.

On the hour, Pirates coach Julio Leal injected some fresh energy into the side as he brought on Daine Klate and Andile Jali from the bench, but after some relentless pressure from The Sea Robbers the best chance came at the opposite end when Celtic got on the counter-attack. Fortunately for the visitors Mulenga's powerful shot could only find the side netting.

McCarthy then brought out another fantastic save from Tignyemb, this time from a curling free-kick. On the opposite end Ezenwa Otorogu should have scored after Jali failed to clear a cross, but the substitute fluffed his shot and Meyiwa was able to save the danger.

Phenyo Mongala nearly got a second for Celtic with a speculative wonder strike from just inside the Pirates half. The long-range effort looked destined to dip inside, but Meyiwa pulled off the acrobatic save and tipped it over the bar.

Former Pirates player Otorogu found himself one-on-one with Meyiwa in stoppage time, but his final shot was both weak and straight at the keeper.

As frustrations boiled over, Ruben Cloete got himself sent off for a second bookable offense in the final minute and will miss Wednesday's match against Golden Arrows.

Celtic  move into tenth place on the table while Pirates remain in sixth.

Adidas adizero f50 moment:

Celtic skipper Thabo Nthethe collected the ball in the middle of the park and lifted a cross into the area where Clifford Mulenga made a perfect first touch and cut inside the Pirates defence before thundering the ball into the back of the net.

Bloem Celtic: Patrick Tignyemb, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Tsietsi Mahoa, Thabo Nthethe, Kgotso Moleko, Angelo Kerspuy, Letladi Madubanya, Danny Venter (Ezenwa Otorogu, 73'), Clifford Mulenga, Thokozani Mshengu (Phenyo Mongala, 67'), Lennox Bacela (Buhle Mkhwanazi, 80').

Subs: Thabani Stemmer, Cecil Oerson, Prince Hlela, Ruzaigh Gamildien.

Orlando Pirates: Senzo Meyiwa, Ruben Cloete, Rooi Mahamutsa, Siyabonga Sangweni, Lucky Lekgwathi, Isaac Chansa (Tokelo Rantie, 78'), Oupa Manyisa, Tlou Segolela (Daine Klate, 60'), Ndumiso Mabena (Andile Jali, 60'), Thulasizwe Mbuyane, Benni McCarthy.

Subs: Moeneeb Josephs, Benson Mhlongo, Bheki Nzunga, Cyril Mashego.

Goals: Clifford Mulenga (Bloem Celtic, 14')

Red cards: Ruben Cloete (Orlando Pirates, 90')