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As they did in their first-round meeting, Bloemfontein Celtic again frustrated Mamelodi Sundowns as the defending champions lost ground in their bid to defend the title.
Phunya Sele Sele not only stopped Sundowns from succeeding yesterday, but the Free State powerhouse remains in with a say in the title race as they will face other challengers Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits in the next few days.
For Sundowns, the stalemate came after coach Pitso Mosimane’s side topped the Absa Premiership standings just four days earlier.
While Sundowns had more chances to score yesterday, the visitors did not make it easy for their illustrious opponents.
Celtic defended in a block when they were not in possession, but Downs attackers Gastón Sirino and Lebohang Maboe were still able to exploit some pockets of space, even though they failed to make it count.
As an alternative, Sundowns tried to force their way from the wings, but neither Anthony Laffor nor Themba Zwane found joy in their attempts to deliver deadly balls.
Even the introduction of Emiliano Tade, Lyle Lakay and Phakamani Mahlambi late in the game could not rattle Celtic.
However, the defensive ploy at first proved to be a burden for the Free Staters as they did not have enough numbers whenever they got breaks.
It was only on rare occasions, particularly in the second half, where Phunya Sele Sele’s counter-attacks almost bore fruit, but they were let down by either indecisiveness or the final touch.
Central to the visitors’ attacks was their enterprising midfielder Tebogo Potsane in a game that was spoilt by the injury to his team-mate Wandisile Letlabika.
Play was stopped for more than 10 minutes in the first half after Letlabika smashed his head against the upright after losing his balance while challenging for an airborne ball.
The 29-year-old centre back left the pitch on a stretcher and attached to a drip. He was also helped by the Sundowns’ medical staff of Dr Carl Tabane and physiotherapist Godfrey Sepuru, who stepped up to stabilise the big defender.
Although the two sets of players on the park looked disturbed, they returned from the half-time break eager to put in a decent shift – and they did as their showing had more punch compared with a rather lukewarm opening 45 minutes.
Celtic were the first to launch an attack, but Potsane was quickly stopped in his tracks in a solo attempt to pierce Downs’ defence.
The diminutive midfielder found another space, but he shot tamely at Kennedy Mweene in goal and even the league’s leading scorer, Tshegofatso Mabasa, failed to put one past the Zambian international goalkeeper.
The hosts also had a crack at goal when Sirino came close from a free kick after Tiyani Mabunda was fouled outside the goal area.
A flurry of attacks followed, but Celtic stood their ground with some calculated interceptions at the back, where Letlabika’s replacement, Mzwanele Mahashe, and Tshepo Rikhotso gave little away even when under siege.
For Celtic, coming away with a point in Pretoria was pleasing, especially after their shock defeat to relegation-threatened neighbours Free State Stars last weekend.
Phunya Sele Sele also needed some motivation ahead of their meeting with Pirates in Soweto on Tuesday night. Then they’ll face Wits in Bloemfontein on Friday.
For Sundowns, another tough outing awaits them in the form of Cape Town City at Athlone Stadium on Tuesday.
The Brazilians overpowered them 3-2 in Pretoria on Tuesday when Mosimane’s side assumed pole position for the first time this season.
