Result: Bloemfontein Celtic 3-2 Maritzburg United
Date: 22 February 2020
Venue: Dr Molemela Stadium
Bloemfontein Celtic struck in the dying stages of the second half to defeat Maritzburg United 3-2 to advance to the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals.
Celtic recalled Lantshene Phalane, Tshepo Rikhotso, Maloisane Ramasimong and Tumelo Njoti while Orlando Pirates loanee Justice Chabalala was handed a start in the defence.
Siwelele almost grabbed an early lead in the sixth minute after Phalane let fly with a cracking left-footed strike from range that was tipped onto the outside of the post by Mpandle.
The Team of Choice were given a head start with a penalty awarded in their favour in the 15th minute after Chabalala handled a ball inside the box, which allowed Thabiso Kutumela to slot home the opener from 12-yards out.
Ten minutes later, Celtic Tumelo Njoti restored matters for the home side with a header at close range after the Maritzburg defence failed to clear in the box.
Ramasimong almost gave Lehlohonolo Seema's charges the lead with ten minutes left of the first stanza with an acrobatic over-head kick from inside the box that was smothered by Mpandle.
Ramasimong had another glorious chance to put Celtic ahead five minutes from the break after going clear on goal but he guided his shot wide, with the net gaping.
The Celtic striker was not to be denied just after the hour mark after as Mpandle's failure to hold onto Ndumiso Mabena's shot allowed Ramasimong the chance to slot home from six yards.
Seema made a double change with a quarter of an hour left, as striker Harris Tchilimbou came on for winger Potsane in an attacking change while midfielder Siphelele Luthuli replaced forward Njoti.
Eric Tinkler's men pushed for the equaliser and were rewarded on 88 minutes as Kwanda Mngonyama snatched the equaliser from with a strike at the back post after Celtic went to sleep on the corner.
However, Tchilimbou got the winner for Siwelele deep in stoppage time with a tap-in on the far side after a square pass from fellow substitute Luthuli as Celtic held booked a spot in the quarter-finals.
Celtic: Mabokgwane, Rikhotso, Ngobeni, Maloisane, Mahashe, Njoti, Chabalala, Baloyi, Phalane, Potsane, Mabena
Subs: Chaine, Maema, Tani, De Jongh, Luthuli, Sera, Tchilimbou
Maritzubrg: Mpandle, Sanoka, Mngonyama, Xulu, Kunene, Kutumela, Timm, Claasen, Ntshangase, Tlolane, Brockie.
Subs: Ofori, Shandu, Buchanan, Hlongwane, Jappie. Morgan, Nyoni.
