Nedbank Cup - Last 16
Result: Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 Richards Bay FC
Date:16 February 2019
Venue: Free State Stadium
Bloemfontein Celtic reached the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup after edging National First Division outfit Richards Bay FC in the round of 16 on Saturday.
Siwelele made three changes from their 2-2 draw with Baroka FC the last time out in the league, with Wandisile Letlabika, Bongani Sam and Menzi Masuku came to the fray.
Lehlohonolo Seema's charges had an early chance after 14 minutes to grab the lead through Tshegofatso Mabasa who struck his effort just over the bar after going clear on the left side of the box.
Siyanda Ngubo almost capitalised on an error by Celtic goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb in the 28th minute after the Cameroonian gave the ball away trying to clear, but his defence covered for him as the visitors' striker could not find the net.
The NFD campaigners found it tough to mount any serious attempts of their own, while Celtic's Kabelo Dlamini went close with a long-range effort in the latter stages of the stanza.
Eleven minutes into the second half, Dlamini had a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock but he missed an open goal from 12-yards out after being teed up Masuku.
Mabasa finally found the breakthrough for Siwelele in the 66th minute with a low strike inside the box after being given a lot of space to take his tally to nine goals across all competitions.
With 20 minutes left to play, Phunya Sele Sele were awarded a penalty following a handball inside the box. Goalkeeper Tignyemb stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his opposite number, Andile Mbanjwa, made the save to keep Amabhubesi in the game.
Any hopes of a comeback for the visitors were dashed two minutes before time as Katleho Maphathe received a straight red-card for a lunging tackle on Sam.
Nevertheless, 1-0 was how the encounter ended as Celtic put their name in the hat for the quarter-final draw.
Here's how they lined up: Celtic: Celtic: 30. Tignyemb, 5. Letlabika, 19. Sam, 22. Rikhotso, 50. Masuku, 2. Tani, 17. Mabasa, 18. Mashikinya, 4. Dlamini, 8. Phalane, 35. Baloyi. Subs: 34. Dambe, 13. Letsoalo, 23. Shikweni, 19. Pfumbizai, 10. Mabena, 38. Mahashe, 11. Potsane. Richards Bay: 44. Mbanjwa, 7. Maphathe, 4. Mthethwa, 3. Sait, 21. Bernard, 6. Khubeka, 35. Dlamini, 12. Madondo, 11. Gumede, 20. Ngubo, 8. Sekese. Subs: 16. Ngcobo, 10. Mushono, 17. Erasmus, 18. Saal, 19 Shange, 25. Mcineka, 30. Ngubane.
