Report: Pirates held by Celtic in Bloemfontein

Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic played out to a 1-1 draw in a scintillating Absa Premiership encounter at Dr Molemela Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Read: Pirates target second win in ‘JZ’s charge

Pirates opted to make two changes in his starting line-up, with Fortune Makaringe and Justin Shonga replacing Linda Mntambo and Kabelo Dlamini respectively, with a surprise exclusion for Thembinkosi Lorch from the match-day squad as rumours continue to spiral about a possible overseas move for him.

Orlando Pirates striker Gabadinho Mhango celebrating his goal against Bloemfontein Celtic. (Image: Soccer Laduma)

First half:

With both squads boasting players against their former sides, it was ex-Siwelele striker Gabadinho Mhango who opened the scoring in the 14th minute after being teed up by Augustine Mulenga to tap into an empty net.

Mbhazima Rikhotso almost leveled matters a few moments when his shot from range hit the upright after deflecting off Ntsikelelo Nyauza.

The visitors were denied a second goal in controversial fashion when Vincent Pule found the back of the net in the 26th minute but it was ruled offside.

Phunya Sele Sele had another chance to equalize when former Pirates man Menzi Masuku but his low shot from the left was parried away by Wayne Sandilands in goal.

Second half:

Pirates started the better of the two teams, and thought they had stretched the lead when Makaringe found the visitors just before the hour-mark, but the goal was ruled out for an earlier foul in the middle of the park.

Siwelele almost grabbed an equalizer through substitute Andile Fikizolo with a toe-poked shot but Sandilands was equally up to the task, parrying the ball away from danger.

In the 81st minute, the home side finally got the goal they were searching for all afternoon when Siphelele Luthuli unleashed a venomous curling strike from close to 30-yards into the top corner with Sandilands well beaten.

Despite ex-Celtic striker Tshegofatso Mabasa almost getting the winner at the end, the spoils were shared.

Starting XI:

Celtic: 16. Mabokgwane, 50. Masuki, 26. Ngobeni, 22. Rikhotso, 10. Mabena, 28. Khasipe, 11. Potsane, 13. Luthuli, 27. Tchilimbou, 3. Mahashe, 8. Phalane.

Subs: 31. Chaine, 9. Sera , 21. Letsoalo, 2. Tani, 34. Fikizolo, 25. Baloyi, 18. Mashikinya.

Pirates: 30. Sandilands, 23. Maela, 4. Jele, 5. Nyauza, 44. Mabaso, 6. Motshwari, 15.. Makaringe, 45. Pule, 17. Mulenga, 7. Mhango, 12. Shonga.

Subs: 1. Delle, 27. Ndengane, 29. Mako, 32. Mntambo, 11. Memela, 16. Mabasa, 18. Dlamini.