Two goals in the last five minutes of extra-time from Sibusiso Masina and an own goal by Kabelo Mahlasela were enough to see Cape Town City beat Bloemfontein Celtic 2-0 on Wednesday night at the Cape Town Stadium. City became the first team through to the Telkom Knouckout quarterfinals.
In a game that was a cagey affair for 90 minutes of regular time and about 20 minutes of extra-time , it took a “moment of madness” as described by Celtic coach Serame Letsoaka, to breath some life into the game.
For a game with a quarterfinal spot at stake, both teams failed to show any sense of urgency, with majority of play concentrated in the middle of the park.
The best chance of the match, and arguable the only real chance inside 90 minutes, was created by Celtic. Khethowakhe Masuku was put through on goal, with only Shu-Aib Walters to beat, his attempt at chiping the keeper went wide.
With eight minutes to go, Tshepo Rikotso committed an unnecessary foul that resulted in him being sent off for a second bookable offence.
City immediately took advantage of the 10 men Celtic when Masina calmly scored from an acute angle to make it 1-0 in the 115th minute.
Three minutes later, Mahlasela was unfortunate to divert Thabo Nodada’s effort, which was going wide, into his own net to make it 2-0.
The victory came at a cost for City after they lost Roland Putsche and Matt Sim through injury. City coach Eric Tickler confirmed after the game that the injuries suffered by the two players seem serious.
Written by: Diski Voice
