Maritzburg fight back to beat Celtic

Maritzburg United secured a 2-1 win over Bloemfontein Celtic in an Absa Premiership match at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.

Despite the win, the Team of Choice remained 16th on the league standings - a point behind 15th-placed Baroka FC, while Celtic remained eighth on the table.

The Team of Choice threatened first through diminutive striker Mohau Mokate just 11 minutes into the encounter.

Thabiso Kutumela delivered a cross for Mokate, who flicked the ball wide of the target without troubling Celtic goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb.

Phunya Sele Sele grew in confidence as the match progressed and they nearly broke the deadlock through Ndumiso Mabena.

The former Orlando Pirates striker hit the outside of the post as the Team of Choice survived a scare.

Celtic kept pushing and Bongani Sam set-up Kabelo Dlamini, who hit the side-netting five minutes before halftime.

The score was 0-0 at the interval with the two teams having failed to take their chances.

The deadlock was finally broken three minutes into the second-half and it was Menzi Masuku, who opened the scoring.

The former South Africa under-23 international Masuku scored with a tap in following a counter-attack with Dlamini grabbing an assist.

Maritzburg coach Eric Tinkler decided to make a change - pulling out Siphesihle Ndlovu and he introduced Allan Kateregga.

The Uganda international kept the Phunya Sele Sele busy with his movement as the hosts looked to level matters.

Kateregga proved to be an inspired substitute as he scored with a half volley to make it 1-1 with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Maritzburg then pushed for a late winning goal and they got it through their super-sub Kateregga in the 88th minute.

The dreadlocked player scored with a powerful left-footed shot which beat Tignyemb to seal Maritzburg's 2-1 win over Celtic.

Maritzburg (0) 2 (Kateregga 80', 88')

Celtic (0) 1 (Masuku 48')