Bloem Celtic cools down the on song Orlando Pirates

The match was expected to be a thriller as both teams held similar records going to the much anticipated clash in Seisa Ramabodu stadium in the city of roses. Since the begining of the current season, Orlando Pirates hadn't lost in their all 11 away games and so was Bloemfontein Celtic in all their home games. Both teams hadn't lost in their last 5 games prior to the Bloemfontein showdown. Expectations were high, a lot was at stake and all eyes were in Mangaung as the clash was said to be the match of the weekend by all soccer lovers around the country.

D-Day arrived and Amabhakabhaka started the game on a high, attacking Celtic left, right and centre. Siwelele did the simple thing and slowed down the pace of the match, which worked in their favour as they took full control in the centre of park. The motive behind Celtic's cool approach to the game was to catch the slow Pirates' defence on a counter attack, which they did but were only let down by the poor finishing from their striking force. Troughout the match, Celtic were the better side on the field and they looked more dangerous in front of the Bucs' goal posts.

In the second half, the Bucs coach Rudolf Krol made two substitutions when he introduced the skillful ex Celtic creative middlefielder Mark "Professor" Mayambela and the Zambian express Isaac Chansa. Both subs brought some flavour in the Pirates attack and the Bucs started to penetrate the solid Bloem Celtic defence. In the 81st minute, Celtic defence showed some leaks and Katlego Mashego found the back of the net to put the Bucaneers on a 1 nill lead. Six minutes later, Orlando Pirates' defence was caught in sixes and sevenths by their former striker Siphelele Mthembu who scored the equaliser for the much supported Bloem side and the match ended one all. With only 6 games to go, Orlando Pirates are on top of the Absa Premier Soccer League log table with 50 points and one point clear from the second placed Ajax Cape town. Pirates and Ajax are scheduled to meet in what is expected to be a thriller of a game on the 16th of March down in Cape Town.