Bloemfontein Celtic qualified for the MultiChoice Diski Challenge quarterfinals in style after finishing top in Group A with 14 points, which makes them one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
Celtic went five matches without defeat, scoring a staggering 13 goals, including their much talked-about 8-0 win over Moroka Swallows.
They took control of their group from the second match, leading until the final round.
supersport.com looks at the club’s run in the seven group stage matches of the competition.
Celtic 0-0 University of Pretoria
13 September – King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban
Both teams appeared to struggle with stage fright on the opening weekend of the competition in front of a packed King Zwelithini Stadium. It was generally a low-scoring match day as only four goals were scored in four matches. The presence of experienced midfielders Lyle Lakay and Jacky Motshegwa seemed not enough to inspire the Bloemfontein youngsters to a win. But the fans got to see the new talent which included striker Tshegofatso Mabaso, Wayde Jooste and Tshepo Chaine.
Moroka Swallows 0-8 Celtic
24 September – Nike Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto
The football fans were reminded of the talent that South Africa possesses as Celtic dismantled Moroka Swallows in their next match, convincingly winning the clash 8-0. The first half produced two goals, with Mokone Mereko and Thapelo Morena finding the back of the net. Celtic then took complete control of the match in the second half, where the experienced Vuyani Ntanga scored four goals. Ishmael Njoti and Dumisani Zuma netted the other two.
Celtic 3-1 Polokwane City
4 October – Siwelele Park in Bloemfontein, Free State
With Vuyani Ntanga being recalled to the first team following his heroics, Celtic brought another deadly marksman in Lethola Mofokeng against Polokwane City. The striker was making a return to the club having left them in 2012, he announced his return with a hat-trick, which came in the first half. City got the consolation goal late in the match when Brian Dolama netted in the 75th minute.
Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Celtic
11 October – Tuks Stadium, Pretoria
The eagerly-awaited clash of the group followed when they took on Kaizer Chiefs in the fifth round. Both teams were on seven points, with Celtic sitting top as a result of their superior goal difference. Chiefs came from a goal down to edge Ajax Cape Town 4-2 in their previous match, which made them favourites going into the encounter. Tshegofatso Mabaso became the hero as he scored the solitary goal in the 23rd minute. The win helped Celtic take control of the group.
Celtic 1-1 Maritzburg United
12 October – Tuks Stadium, Pretoria
Celtic then missed a chance to stay clear of their rivals the following day as they were held by a resurgent Maritzburg United, who had collected their first points by beating Ajax Cape Town. Celtic had a great start, opening the scoring in the 6th minute through Wayne Jooste. Maritzburg then drew level when Sandile Dlamini netted in the 57th minute. The Bloemfontein side still enjoyed a three-points lead as Chiefs were also held by Swallows.
Bloemfontein Celtic 1-2 SuperSport United
18 October – Siwelele Park in Bloemfontein
They suffered their first defeat of the tournament in the sixth match against SuperSport United at home, going down 2-1. Thabani Mthembu ensured the visitors went to the break ahead when he netted with six minutes remaining. Defender Roscoe Pietersen scored the second in the 61st minute, before Jooste reduced the deficit via a spot kick in the 77th minute. The result threw Group A wide open as the four quarterfinals spots were still up for grabs going into the final matches.
Celtic 1-0 Ajax Cape Town
25 October – Kaleshewe Stadium in Kimberly, North West
With Ajax Cape Town also in contention for a place in the last eight, Celtic found it difficult to break their disciplined defence, which was led by Andre Petim in goals. They dominated the match in the second half with Gregory Maasdorp tormenting the opponents, but poor finishing let them down. It took a late drama for them to get a win, when Sici Shjelembe was brought down by Petim and they were awarded a penalty. Defender Enoch Phungulwa stepped up to convert and sealed their passage into the quarterfinals.
Group stage record: P7 W4 D2 L1 GF15 GA4 GD11 Pts14
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