Bernard Parker’s exquisite strike earned Kaizer Chiefs a 1-1 draw against Bloemfontein Celtic in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal on Sunday at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein.
Parker canceled out Helder Pelembe’s first-half strike when he hit a first-time screamer from outside the box into the top corner in the 63rd minute.
Kaizer Chiefs started the better side and George Lebese had probably the best chance of the game inside two minutes. After playing one twos inside the box, he was left with only Patrick Tignyemb to beat but the goalkeeper came out on top.
Chiefs continued to attack Celtic but without creating many goalscoring opportunities.
Then, Celtic took the lead against the run of play, Helder Pelembe found space outside the box and hit an unstoppable strike from about 25 yards to give Celtic the lead.
Chiefs had an opportunity to level matters before halftime when Bevan Fransman was adjudged to have pulled Siphelele Mthembu inside the box in the 41st minute. Parker was given the responsibilty but skied his penalty.
As entertaining as the second half was, there were not many chances created by both side.
Chiefs hold a slight advantage heading back to FNB Stadium for the second leg on 29 August 2015.
In the other semifinal on Saturday night, goals from Tariq Losper and Henrico Botes means the game head into the second leg in Johannesburg on 30 August 2015 all square.
