Nedbank Cup Semi-Final
Result: Baroka FC 0-3 Bloemfontein Celtic
Date: 08 August 2020
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Bloemfontein Celtic have booked a spot in the Nedbank Cup final after defeating Baroka FC 3-0, with Ndumiso Mabena and Victor Letsoalo playing vital roles.
Click through the gallery above to see action from Celtic's impressive win over Baroka.
Bakgaga made three changes to the side that beat Black Leopards in the quarter-finals, as Ethen Sampson, Ananias Gebhardt and Gerald Phiri Junior were all recalled while Celtic were boosted by the return of Mzwanele Mahashe, Wandisile Letlabika, Lantshene Phalane, Menzi Masuku, Tebogo Potsane and Ndumiso Mabena.
Phunya Sele Sele were on the front foot early on as Mabena had a chance to open the scoring in the eighth minute after he was picked out by Mpusana Tani unmarked at the near post but he guided a first-time strike just wide.
Baroka were struggling for rhythm from the onset but their cause was not helped on 32 minutes when they were reduced to ten men after Gebhardt was shown a straight red card for a lunging tackle on Baloyi.
Despite playing with a man down, Dylan Kerr's troops had a chance to break the deadlock five minutes before the break after Nhlanhla Mgaga received a cut-back at the back post but his low shot was brilliantly saved goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
Siwelele finally made their numerical advantage count, as Mabena got the breakthrough late in first-half stoppage time with a scuffed shot on the far side of the box after receiving a sweeping pass from Andile Fikizolo.
After a quiet start to the second half, Celtic coach John Maduka introduced fresh legs with a double change just before the hour-mark, as Neo Maema replaced Masuku and Victor Letsoalo came on for Potsane.
Siwelele had a glorious chance to put the game to bed in the final eight minutes after they were awarded a penalty following a foul by goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze on Mabena in the box.
Letsoalo went up to take the spot-kick and dispatched a low strike into the bottom corner for his second goal of the tournament and Celtic's second goal on the day.
Maduka's troops managed to add a third goal deep in stoppage time, as Letsoalo completed his brace with a close-range finish to seal Celtic's spot in the final.
Here's how they lined up:
Baroka: 1. Chipezeze, 33. Farmer, 43. Sampson, 17. Kambala, 3. Gebhardt, 27. Makgopa, 14. Mosele, 42. Mgaga, 20. Patjie, 10. Phiri, 18. Shozi.
Subs: 30. Dlamini, 24. Madondo, 5. Makume, 11. Selemela, 9. Mbulu, 2. Kgoetyane, 15. Mogale, 49. Nguse, 23. Ngubane.
Celtic: 31. Chaine, 11. Potsane, 3. Mahashe, 50. Masuku, 35. Baloyi, 25. Chabalala, 5. Letlabika, 2. Tani, 8. Phalane, 10. Mabena, 26. Ngobeni.
Subs: 32. Mpoto, 18. Mashikinya, 24. Lingwati, 12. Maeama, 34. Fikizolo, 27. Tchilimbou, 7. Maloisane, 26. Nyamende, 21. Letsaolo.
