Absa Premiership
Result: Bloemfontein Celtic 1-1 University of Pretoria
Date: 17 April 2016
Venue: Dr. Molemela Stadium
Vuyani Ntanga's late strike rescued a point for Bloemfontein Celtic, as they drew 1-1 with the University of Pretoria on Sunday afternoon.
The opening few minutes seemed like an interestingly even affair as both sides pushed forward for an early goal.
Celtic's Thapelo Morena came close to putting the hosts ahead with an 11th minute effort that forced AmaTuks goalkeeper, Tristyn Coetsee into a parried save.
Two minutes later, Atusaye Nyondo produced a fine effort that almost troubled Patrick Tignyemb, but the shot-stopper managed to parry the ball away.
The visitors started to settle in and began to build some momentum as the half progressed, but it was Fiston Abdul Razak who almost grabbed the opener with a 39th minute effort that was well saved by Coetsee.
Three minutes later, Celtic suffered a massive scare as Thabo Nemukondeni tested Tignyemb with a wonderful strike that was well managed by the ‘keeper.
Nemukondeni threatened on the stroke of half-time, this time making no mistake as he buried the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-0 and ensured AmaTuks headed into the break with a slight advantage.
Not much could separate the two sides after the break as the two midfields did well to break down play in the middle of the park.
Bloemfontein Celtic added numbers into their attacks as the final whistle drew nearer and were finally rewarded when Vuyani Ntanga curled home a superb free-kick in the 84th minute to draw the hosts back level, 1-1.
The hosts pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but Shaun Bartlett's charges held on for the draw, as the boosted their hopes of survival in the top flight.
Here is how they lined up:
Celtic: 30. Tignyemb, 11. Jooste, 26. Lubisi, 27. Ndengane, 5. Letlabika, 8. Phalane (Nyatama 42'), 7. Lakay (Ntanga 76'), 12. Morena, 17. Abdoul, 20. Matuka, 34. Zuma (Lamola 52')
AmaTuks: 26. Coetzee, 15. Jaure, 37. Mwedihanga, 28. Mthethwa, 3. Sibande, 23. Nemukondeni (Zwane 78'), 14. Maruping, 23. Getaneh (Chikohwa 55') , 10. Mnyamane (Ketjijere 68'), 17. Nyondo, 17. Bacela.
