Mame Niang’s penalty kick 10 minutes from time rescued a point for SuperSport United in an Absa Premiership encounter against Bloemfontein Celtic at the Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium on Sunday. Musa Nyatama scored for the visitors just before the break.
SuperSport United went into the encounter knowing that victory would take them to the top of the table. Celtic, on the other hand, would move into the top half of the table with victory in Atteridgeville.
Mame Niang and Edwin Gyimah returned to the starting XI for the hosts, while Rodreck Mutuma started from the onset for Celtic in place of Botswana midfielder Joel Mogorosi.
The visitors made a strong start and should have had the lead in the third minute of the match. Musa Nyatama found an unmarked Lerato Manzini inside the area, but somehow the striker failed to convert with an open net looming.
Nyatama was proving to be a real handful and went close with a shot from distance in the 21st minute. Matsatsantsa shot-stopper Rowen Williams was up to the task, though, tipping the ball over his crossbar.
Manzini wasn’t having the best of days out on the pitch and missed another sitter seven minutes later. Mutuma set up the striker, but yet again he failed to hit the target with Williams stranded. SuperSport United nearly found the back of the net themselves in the 39th minute.
Bevan Fransman lost his marker but could only manage to nod Thuso Phala’s corner kick over the bar. Nyatama gave Siwelele the lead five minutes before the break.
The on-loan Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder slipped in behind the SuperSport United defence by Vuyani Ntanga, before rounding Williams and slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Sameehg Doutie nearly levelled matters just before the break. The former Ajax Cape Town winger’s free kick had Patrick Tignyemb beaten.
SuperSport United came out strong after the break but were finding it difficult to break down Phunya Sele Sele’s defence. Celtic were also looking dangerous on the counter, especially through Nyatama, who was having an excellent game.
SuperSport continued to press forward and were finally rewarded for their efforts 10 minutes before the end. Second-half substitute, Bradley Grobler, was brought down inside the area by Keagan Buchanan and Mame Niang duly stepped up and drilled the ball past Tignyemb to bag his fourth goal of the campaign. The draw moves SuperSport United back to the summit of the table by virtue of goal difference.
