High-flying Bloemfontein Celtic were brought down to earth by Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening as the Amakhosi recorded their first victory over Phunya Sele Sele in an official competition this season.

Having previously been knocked out by Celtic in the SAA Supa 8 competition and held to a draw in the first round of the league in September, there was to be no such problems for the Amakhosi on this occasion.

Although Celtic had the first shot on goal, it was Chiefs who dominated proceedings for the lion’s share of the first half, as Arthur Zwane and David Radebe lay siege on Posnett Omony’s goal. The Celtic keeper came out on top in this twelfth minute dual. Eleven minutes later, Omony was under siege again as David Radebe sent in a cross for David Obua. He came out and fluffed the ball, but Obua could not take advantage of the opportunity gifted to him.

At the start of the second half, coach Ernst Middendorp rang the changes, bringing on midfielders David Mathebula and Gert Schalkwyk which gave Chiefs the cutting edge in the second period. The pair tore into the Celtic defense and created a host of goal scoring opportunities for the Chiefs strikers. After the hour mark, Mathebula laid a ball off to Arthur Zwane whose pin point cross found David Obua, who headed the ball downwards and past his countryman Omony in the Celtic goal to put Chiefs ahead.

Ten minutes later Celtic could have drawn level. Lebogang Kukame hit the upright from close range after being played into a good position by Siyabonga Nkosi. With Fernandez beaten, Kukame looked on in horror as he was unable to draw his team level. A minute later Chiefs wrapped up the game as the two substitutes linked up with Louis Agyemang in a series of passes. At the end Agyemang laid the ball of to the on running Schalkwyk who neatly shot past Omony to end the game as contest.

This well earned and hard fought victory shot Chiefs to the top of the PSL table and also signalled Chiefs first victory over Celtic under the leadership of Ernst Middendorp. The Amakhosi coach laughed and drew thumbs up from the Chiefs supporters as he exited the FNB pitch. Chiefs now turn their attention to Cup Football as they face Super Sport United next Saturday in an ABSA Cup Last 32 encounter.

Line-ups:

Kaizer Chiefs: 1. R. Fernandez, 4. C. Nzama, 6. F. McCarthy, 2. J. Tau,

33. D. Mototo (24. Mathebula 45 min), 13. D. Obua, 8. T. Nengomasha, 21. P. Mayo, 18. A. Zwane, 31. D. Radebe (25. Schalkwyk 45 min), 20. L. Agyemang

Substitutes: 16. E. Baron, 25. G. Schalkwyk, 10. S. Chalwe, 7. K. Motaung Jnr,

27. G. Sibeko, 28. D. Spencer, 24. D. Mathebula

Bloemfontein Celtic: 31. P. Omony, 12. J. Madidilane, 17. E. Ngwepe,

28. G. Goldstone, 6. T. Batabaire, 14. L. Seema, 9. J. Merahe,

4. A. Nteo (11. Spandeel 65 min), 18. J. Maduka, 15. S. Nkosi, 24. L. Kukame

Substitutes: 1. S. Gopane, 16. S. Chalwe, 11. M. Spandeel, 19. R. Kilambe,

25. L. Mothibantwa, 13. J. Motlhaping, 10. K. Taaibos

Yellow Cards: Kaizer Chiefs: Cyril Nzama