Absa Premiership
Result: Baroka 2-2 Bloemfontein Celtic
Date: 10 February 2019
Venue: New Peter Mokaba Stadium
Bloemfontein Celtic missed the chance to into the top four in the Absa Premiership after they played to an entertaining 2-2 draw with Baroka on Sunday evening.
Baroka were in desperate need for three points, which prompted head coach Wedson Nyirenda to re-call striker Jemondre Dickens, while Celtic handed a debut to Mzwanele Mahashe.
The home side's intentions were clear from the onset as the returning Dickens proved to be real handful with his movement although he was unable to test Patrick Tignyemb.
It was Celtic who broke the deadlock as Tshegofatso Mabaso raced beyond the Baroka defence to latch onto a long ball before firing past Elvis Chipezeze at the near post on 26 minutes.
Baroka weren't behind for too long as a mix-up in communication ended with Celtic defender Mpusana Tani nodding the ball into his own net.
The turnaround was complete for the hosts shortly before the break. Dickens turned provider to tee up Mduduzi Mdantsane, who sent a low strike into the far corner from just inside the box.
Tignyemb kept Celtic in the contest after the hour mark with a superb save to deny Collins Makgaka in a one-on-one situation after the visitors' defence was cut open once again.
Celtic were level with 20 minutes remaining as Mabaso bagged his second of the day with a neat finish after Baroka's Dickens had squandered a golden chances seconds earlier.
It was an end-to-end affair in the remaining stages of the second half, but the Baroka coach would have been the angrier of the two coaches as his charges struggled with the final ball.
Unfortunately for Celtic, 2-2 was how the encounter ended as they miss out on fourth spot, although they leapfrog Kaizer Chiefs into fifth position.
View The PSL Results Here's how they lined up:Baroka: 1. Chipezeze, 13. Mabeba (Vilane 80'), 21. Mongae, 5. Makume, 8. Mdantsane, 15. Chinyengtere (Patjie 20'), 14. Mosele, 12. Magakaka, 36. Semenya, 28. Dickens, 33. Sibiya.
Subs: 41. Ncube, 18. Mapheto, 20. Patjie, 29. Madigoe, 3. Gerbardt, 38. Mokgobo, 42. Vilane.
Celtic: 30. Tignyemb, 38. Mahashe, 3. Pfumbizai, 22. Rikhotso, 14. Maema (Potsane 63'), 2. Tani (Letsoalo 46'), 17. Mabasa, 18. Mashikinya, 4. Dlamini (Shikweni 90+2'), 8. Phalane, 35. Baloyi.
Subs: 34. Dambe, 13. Letsoalo, 23. Shikweni, 50. Masuku, 19. Mangweni, 19. Sam, 11. Potsane.
