Result: Highlands Park 2-0 Bloemfontein Celtic
Date: 15 February 2020
Venue: Makhulong Stadium
Peter Shalulile moved on to 11 Absa Premiership goals for the season after guiding Highlands Park to victory over Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday afternoon.
Highlands made four changes, with Musa Nyatama starting alongside returnees, Limbikani Mzava who recovered from injury, Mothobi Mvala and Lindokuhle Mbatha.
On the other side, Siwelele made mass changes with the likes of goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane, Menzi Masuku, Ndumiso Mabena and Given Mashikinya returning to the side.
The Lions of the North had a good start, as Peter Shalulile gave them the lead in the 20th minute with a strike from the centre of the box after he was setup by Mbatha.
There was a water break midway through the half and the hosts were fired up again, which nearly resulted in the second goal lead eight minutes before the break with Mvala hitting the upright after he was teed up by Mbatha.
Celtic were not finding clear openings in the closing phase while Highlands were keeping it tight at the back and the first stanza ended with the hosts 1-0 ahead.
Owen Da Gama's charges started the second stanza on a high note, as Shalulile gave them a 2-0 lead nine minutes from the break with a tap-in inside a gaping net from Mbatha's cross.
Siwelele came close to pulling a goal back on the hour-mark after Highlands goalkeeper Marlon Heugh came out for a cross and missed it but the visitors were unlucky to hit the crossbar.
Lehlohonolo Seema strengthened his attack with 22 minutes remaining, as he brought on striker Victor Letsoalo in place of winger Menzi Masuku while Highlands also made an attacking change two minutes later, as attacker Sabelo Nyembe replaced midfielder Nyatama.
Despite the changes, Celtic could not carve out clear chances and the Lions of the North held on to clinch a 2-0 victory that took them up to seventh on the log while Siwelele dropped to tenth.
Highlands: 1. Heugh, 10. Mokoena, 8. Mbunjana, 5. Fransman, 48. Banda, 2. Mzava, 18. Nyatama, 14. Mvala, 38. Shalulile, 43. Mbatha, 34. Motsepe.
Subs: 16. Kapini, 21. Mbhele, 19. Munyai, 24. Rae, 27. Jooste, 11. Nyembe, 6. Letsholonyane.
Celtic: 16. Mabokgwane, 18. Mashikinya, 22. Rikhotso, 20. De Jongh, 10. Mabena, 25. Chabalala, 50. Masuku, 13. Luthuli, 12. Maema, 5. Letlabika, 26. Ngobeni.
Subs: 31. Chaine, 21. Letsoalo, 14. Njoti, 7. Maloisane, 3. Mahashe, 35. Baloyi, 19. Matjila.
