Celtic edge Downs to clinch cup
A 47th minute goal by Joel Mogorosi gave Bloemfontein Celtic a 1-0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout Cup Final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
But it was not without controversy. Replays of Mogorosi’s goal have created much debate around whether or not the ball actually crossed the line.
Still, the victory will go down as a famous result for Celtic, giving Clinton Larsen his first trophy as a coach and in his hometown of Durban too.
It took until the 9th minute for the first shot on goal when Themba Zwane forced a comfortable save out of Patrick Tignyemb. Just a minute later, Teko Modise fired in a left footed shot and Tignyemb had to parry for a corner kick.
In the 17th minute Lennox Bacela had a great chance to score when he got free on the left side of the danger area, but he took too long to get a strike on goal. In the end Wayne Sandilands quickly closed down the angle and saved the danger.
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With the game having opened up nicely after the opening 20 minutes, Sundowns had a very good chance to score after 27 minutes.
On the edge of the danger area, Downs created a fantastic one-two combination between Themba Zwane and Richard Henyekane, but the latter's shot at goal just did not have the power or accuracy.
Three minutes later Ruzaigh Gamildien really should have put Celtic into the lead. He did so well to control a high ball, before cutting inside a defender and getting the ball onto his left foot, but his attempt at goal flew wide of the post.
In the 40th minute, a back-heeled pass by Henyekane found Abel Mabaso in a good position on the right side of the area, but his first time driven effort flew over the crossbar.
Two minutes after the interval and the opening goal of the match arrived, albeit in controversial fashion. Joel Mogorosi got the ball over the line, according to the far side assistant referee, but it was a very close call.
After a fantastic cross into the danger area, which Sandilands missed, Mogorosi hit the target only for Clayton Daniels to attempt a clearance off the line. The assistant referee called it as a goal and the referee followed his cue and awarded the goal.
Celtic’s Tladi Madubanya had to be replaced after an hour as he limped off with an injury. But Celtic continued to fight hard and protected their lead.
Sundowns could not penetrate the Celtic defence and Siwelele were restricting the likes of Modise to shots at goal from distance.
Celtic almost stole a second goal in the dying moments when Mogorosi struck the upright as Siwelele held on to their lead.
Mamelodi Sundowns 0
Bloemfontein Celtic (0) 1 (Mogorosi 47’)
TEAMS
Sundowns: Sandilands; Mabaso, Daniels, Schut, Langerman; Nyandoro, Zwane; Henyekane (Mushekwi 75’), Modise, Julies (Laffor 59’); Rodgers
Celtic: Tignyemb; Nthethe, Mzava (Leonard 83’), Isaacs, Mahoa; Madubanya (Duiker 60’), Arwuah; Mogorosi, Gamildien, Lakay (Motshegwa 76’); Bacela
