Kaizer Chiefs failed to defend Macufe Cup after going down by 4-3 to an enthusiastic Bloemfontein Celtic in a sold out game that took place on Sunday at the Free State Stadium.

The two sides went into the game determined to put a good showing for the thousands of the Macufe Cultural Festival revellers who came out in numbers to support the two sides. Both Technical Teams used the game to keep continuity during the Fifa Week break.

“The game was difficult owing to most of the players who started the game lacked match fitness”; said Stuart Baxter after the game. “The game saw the return from injury of Siyabonga Nkosi who we gave full 90min even though we knew he was going to find it difficult. Tsepo Masilela made his debut in the game and as you all know Tsepo hasn’t seen game time for a very long time but he is working very hard to return to full fitness”; continued the Kaizer Chiefs Head Coach.

It didn’t take long for the game to live up to expectations with two teams pulling no punched going forward with Kaizer Motaung opening the goal festival with a smart tap in goal in the 20th minutes. After 16 minutes Motshegwa equalised for Celtic with a well taken shot which gave Brilliant Khuzwayo no chance.

The second half saw the two sides upping the gear and it was Celtic who set the sin alight with a goal by Brent Lawler header from a well taken corner kick by Lyle Lackay. Five minutes later Amakhosi faithful couldn’t believe it when Venter made it 3-1 to Celtic.

Chiefs were not going to let Celtic ride on them without a fight when substitutes Tumi Moshobane and Matthew Rusike scored two quick goals in the 60th and 62nd minutes respectively, to make it 3-3.

The game was concluded by a late penalty by Leonard after the referee hesitantly pointed to the spot after Siyabonga Nkosi unintended handball. Jimmy Jambo, Nicholas Mynhardt and Lohlohonolo Majoro also got a run in the second half of the game.

Coach Stuart Baxter said “I am happy with the squad, they showed character by coming back from a 3-1 deficit. We will continue to work hard and we will not be demoralised as we still top of the log. If you talk about being demoralised then we should not be playing football maybe we should go play some other sports. At Chiefs we play each game to win hence we will continue to work hard to prepare for the next game.”

Kaizer Chiefs starting XI: Brilliant Khuzwayo, Kgotso Moleko, Tsepo Masilela, Josta Dladla, Keagan Ritchie, Lucky Baloyi, Sthembiso Ngcobo, Kaizer Motaung Jnr, Siyabonga Nkosi, Mandla Masango, Willard Katsande.

Bloemfontein Celtic starting XI: Dino Visser, Danny Venter, Auguston Leonard, Brent Lawler, Itumeleng Duiker, Siyabonga Nontshinga, Lyle Lakay, Tumelo Mogapi, Jacky Motshegwa, Vuyani Natanga, Johannes Motlhaping.

Goals: Kaizer Motaung Junior (Chiefs 19'), Jacky Motshegwa (Celtic 36'), Brent Lawler (Celtic 49'), Danny Venter (Celtic 52'), Tumi Moshobane (Chiefs 60'), Matthew Rusike (Chiefs 62'), Auguston Leonard (Celtic 77').