The Amakhosi had spoken all week long of the attacking threat posed by Bloemfontein Celtic and Chiefs had to be at their best as they kept the dangerous Celtic offense at bay as they held out for a 1-0 victory over the visiting team at the Rand Stadium on Saturday night.

The only goal of the game was headed home by Chiefs inform striker Knowledge Musona in the 24th minute, Itumeleng Khune made a wonderous save in the second half to keep his second clean sheet of the season as Chiefs continued their home dominance in league games over Celtic.

Chiefs were the dominant force in the early parts of the game and it was the Amakhos who had the first chance at goal, Jimmy Tau was able to get into space in the fourth minute of the game and went for goal with a shot from the right edge of the Celtic penalty box and he had Tignyemb down on his knees to make the stop.

In a half were Chiefs had ample goal scoring opportunities Musona missed the chance to give Chiefs the lead as he was unable to make contact with a pass from Yende. In the 22nd minute with Chiefs on the offensive

Letsholonyane let fly at goal with a thunderous shot from some 20 yards from goal, it took a full length dive from Celtic keeper Tignyemb to reach the ball and he was with the palms of his hands able to block the ball.

This seemed to give Chiefs a lift and shortly thereafter they were back on the attack with Tshabalala weaving his way down the left flank before crossing the ball where Musona a few yards from goal managed to head the ball beyond Tignyemb to give Chiefs the advantage after 24 minutes.

Musona could have doubled Chiefs lead in the 31st minute but his turn and shot goal from around seven yards out went wide of Tignyemb, Khune managed to make a vital stop as he stood his ground to save a headed attempt at goal from Nathan Paulse four minutes before half time. Chiefs lead 1 – 0 at the break.

As they did in the first half Chiefs were on the offensive early on after the restart, Masenamela found himself in space on the left and unleashed a shot at goal which Tignyemb again managed to stop.

Yende thought he had doubled Chiefs lead on 48 minutes as he turned home Tshabalala’s lay- up but he was adjudged to have been off side. Khune made a spectacular save as he dived at full length across the face of goal to prevent Olomu’s deft flick off a 59th minute corner getting past him.

Tignyemb was kepty busy throughout and on 64 minutes was again called into action this time blocking Masenamela’s shot and as the rebound fell back into play Musona had a crack his shot hit a Celtic player and even at the third time of asking Tshabalala missed the target as the ball came out to him.

Celtic did not let up in their search for an equalizer in the dying minutes of the game Paulse was able to feed the ball to Kekana who went for goal with a shot from the edge of the 18 yard are but Khune was up to the challenge and stopped it.

Amakhosi coach Vladimir Vermezovic will be pleased with the fact that his team were able to hold out for the win and equally pleasing for the Chiefs mentor and Amakhosi fans was the fact that midfield general Tinashe Nengomasha made a return to action. He received a huge cheer when entering the field as a 72nd minute substitute.

Chiefs (4-4-2): Khune, Tau, Masenamela, Nahayo, Isaacs, Letsholonyane, Yende (Masango 55’), Tshabalala (Torrealba 90’+), Dladla, Musona, Nhleko (Nengomasha 72’)

Coach: Vladimir Vermezovic




Starting Line-up

1. Itumeleng Khune


2. Jimmy Tau


3. Punch Masenamela


4. Valery Nahayo


5. Dominic Isaacs


6. Renielwe Letsholonyane


7. Josta Dladla


8. Siphiwe Tshabalala


9. Nkosinathi Nhleko


10. Knowledge Musona


11. Mthokozisi Yende

Substitutes

1. Mandla Masango


2. Jose Torrealba


3. Tinashe Nengomasha

Substitutes Not Used: Bartman, Molekwane, Lebese, Motaung Junior


Cautions: Nahayo 57’ (Pulling back Oerson), Letsholonyane (Foul on Spandeel)

Celtic (4-4-2): Tignyemb, Kekana, Khaile, Matohoho, Olomu, Spandeel (Mshengu 80’), Nthethe, Oerson (Ndlovu 67’),


Mulenga (Chenene 77’), Paulse


Coach: Clinton Larsen


Substitutes Not Used: Stemmer, Motlhaping, Kalala, Mahoa


Cautions: Ndlovu 71’ (Foul on Letsholonyane)