Celtic concede late to draw against Highlands

Bloemfontein Celtic conceded a late goal to surrender their lead after playing to a 1-1 draw against Highlands Park in an Absa Premiership match at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Tuesday night.

The draw does not eases Celtic’s relegation woes as they sit only two points clear of the danger zone, currently in 13th place on the table with 24 points from 24 games.

Highlands’ fear of relegation also worsens with the draw as they sit second from bottom of the table with 22 points from 25 games, only point ahead of Baroka FC who are in action on Wednesday night.

Neither side looked very impressive in the early stages of the match and consequently very few chances were created in front of goal.

The first decent shot on goal came in the 20th minute when Ayanda Dlamini let fly from long range, but his effort sailed wide of the Highlands goal.

On the half hour mark Highlands had their first effort on goal with Zamuxolo Ngalo firing a thunderbolt inches wide.

Highlands finished the half the stronger of the two side and came close to the opening goal just before the break, but Peter Shalulie saw his shot from the edge of the box superbly saved by Patrick Tignyemb.

The home side started the better of the two teams in the second half with a long range shot from Ayanda Dlamini well-saved by the Highlands goalkeeper in the 49th minute.

In the 58th minute Celtic made their pressure tell when Musa Nyatama turned home a pin-point pass from Lyle Lakay, 1-0.

Highlands tried to find their way back into the game and came close to equalising in the 74th minute, but goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb was on hand to turn his stinging effort around the post.

The visiting side continued to push forward and were rewarded for their efforts in injury time when Mothobi Mvala found the back of the net after latching onto a pass from Fikru Lemessa.

Bloemfontein Celtic (0) 1 (Nyatama 58’)

Highlands Park (0) 1 (Mvala 90’)

Teams

Celtic: Tignyemb, Nyatama, Maruping, Ndengane, Lakay (Razak 86’), Dube, Letlabika (Rikhotso 46’), Mahlasela, Hotto, Phalane, Dlamini (Mvula 72’).

Highlands Park: Kapini, Oluwafemi, Ngalo, Nhlapho, Katjiukua, Mvala, Moriri, Mbatha, Cale (Theron 59’), Khuboni (Mashumba 71’), Shalulile (Lemessa 80’).