Absa Premiership
Result: Bloemfontein Celtic 0-2 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 12 April 2017
Venue: Dr. Petrus Molemela
Goals from George Maluleka and Gustavo Paez helped Kaizer Chiefs claim a 2-0 win over Bloemfontein Celtic on Wednesday evening.
Chiefs broke the deadlock with the first real opening after 12 minutes, as George Maluleka collected a pass from Joseph Molangoane, before burying the ball into the bottom corner.
Celtic showed a lot of promise in the opening 25 minutes, but there were a number of fouls committed from both sides which disrupted the flow of the encounter.
The hosts had to wait until the 38th minute for their first real effort at goal, as Musa Nyatama 's effort from distance forced Itumeleng Khune into a finger-tip save.
However, despite conceding the early goal, Celtic shot-stopper Patrick Tignyemb had quiet opening 45 minutes, as Chiefs struggled to carve out another clear-cut opening.
Khune, meanwhile, was forced into a couple save in the first stanza, but the score remained 1-0 to the AmaKhosi as the sides entered the halftime break.
Tignyemb did come to Celtic's rescue after 52 minutes, as he produced a good save to keep out Willard Katsande's towering header.
Steve Komphela introduced Gustavo Paez after 55 minutes, while Celtic brought on Fiston Abdoul Razak at the same time.
Paez made the perfect impact in the 68th minute, as the striker latched onto a pass from Bernard Parker, before firing home in off the upright, 0-2.
Komphela opted to introduce William Twala and Hendrick Ekstein for the final 15 minutes, as they Chiefs looked to see out the closing stages.
Celtic pushed for a consolation strike in the closing stages and had a couple half chances, but they could not bypass the Chiefs defence.
The victory sees Komphela's move up to second spot in the table, while Celtic's remain among the relegation contenders.
Here's how they lined up:
Celtic: 30. Tignyemb, 4. Nyatama, 22. Rikhotso (Mvula 82'), 27. Ndengane, 7. Lakay, 3. Dube, 5. Letlabika, 19. Mxoyana, 11. Hotto (Mahlasela 67') , 8. Phalane, 17. Mabasa (Razak 55').
Chiefs: 32. Khune, 2. Mphahlele, 26. Gordinho, 3. Mathoho, 24. Masilela, 12. Maluleka, 31. Katsande, 23. Molangoane (Twala 79'), 11. Chirambadare (Paez 55'), 14. Tshabalala, 25. Parker (Ekstein 83').
