Result: Stellenbosch 1-2 Bloemfontein Celtic
Date: 07 January 2020
Venue: Cape Town Stadium
Bloemfontein Celtic returned to winning ways in the Absa Premiership with a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph away to Stellenbosch FC.
New signing Ovidy Karuru was only named on the Stellenbosch bench, while Mogamad de Geode reclaimed his spot in the side after serving a suspension.
The hosts got off to the perfect start when Ryan Moon nodded home a cross from Marc van Heerden after just four minutes.
The momentum was with the home side, who should have had a second just before 20 minutes but top scorer Waseem Isaacs was unable to profit from Moon's cross.
Celtic, meanwhile, found it tough to get going in the first half and failed to mount any serious attempts at Boy de Jong's goal in the opening 45 minutes.
Celtic threw on Given Mashikinya and Andile Fikizolo at the start of the second half, with Tebogo Potsane and Rikhotso making way.
Ten minutes into the second half, Celtic got their equaliser thanks to a strike from Mzwanele Mahashe, who moved on to three goals for the current season.
Stellies coach Steve Barker introducd Karuru for his debut shortly the visitors levelled matters, with Diego Franco Mares withdrawn for the final 20 minutes.
The visitors took control from thereafter and eventually got the winning goal in the 81st minutes, as veteran forward Ndumiso Mabena found the back of the net to seal three points for the Free State outfit.
Stellenbosch: 31. De Jong, 42. Mobbie, 13. Van Heerden, 4. De Goede, 16. Johannes, 12. Scott, 11. Franco, 50. Zungu, 15. Bergman, 21. Isaacs, 29. Moon.
Subs: 35. Langeveldt, 47. Gould, 11. Skelem, 8. Matsi, 3. Ndlovu, 9. Du Preez, 17. Karuru.
Celtic: 16. Mabokgwane, 50. Masuku, 26. Ngobeni, 22. Rikhotso, 10. Mabena, 28. Khasipe, 11. Potsane, 13. Luthuli, 21. Letsoalo, 3. Mahashe, 8. Phalane.
Subs: 31. Chaine, 9. Sera, 23. Mogakwe, 2. Tani, 34. Fikizolo, 35. Baloyi, 18. Mashikinya.
