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Thursday, September 25, 2014

Pirates, Celtic top in Diski Challenge


Bloemfontein Celtic grabbed the headlines when they recorded an 8-0 victory over Moroka Swallows to top Group A, in their MultiChoice Diski Challenge match at the Nike Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto on Wednesday.

Vuyani Ntanga was the star of the day as he netted four of the Celtic's goals, with the third being a scorcher and a contender for the goal-of-the-week accolade. A total of 31 goals were scored, which is a record so far in the tournament as all the 16 teams were in action on the same day for the first time.
Orlando Pirates were the only side to register a second-straight win when they edged Chippa United 2-1 to take control of Group B, with Masalaelo Seanego scoring a last-minute winner.

In the final matches of the day, which were both contested by Group B teams, Mpumalanga Black Aces and Bidvest Wits played to an exciting 3-3 draw – while Platinum Stars and Mamelodi Sundowns played to a goalless draw.

Aces’ James Bell scored the quickest goal of the competition when he found the back of the net within seconds in the match. Tshidiso Monamodi helped Wits recover quickly when he equalised in the second minute, Elasto Kapowezha then gave the Students the lead in the 30th minute.

Given Mashikane equalised for Aces in the 37th minute while Bell completed his brace with 13 minutes remaining. But they were denied victory in unfortunate circumstances when Vincent Kobola scored an own goal a few minutes before full time.

Sundowns found it hard to break a disciplined Stars' defence despite boasting a talented attack in Percy Tau, Thamsanqa Mashiya and Bonginkosi Ntuli - with Sphamandla Mlilo, Kamogelo Mathe and Michael Mabule ensuring that they keep things tight at the back.

In the matches that preceded the last ones, Pirates and Ajax Cape Town snatched late wins, with Seanego becoming the hero for the young Buccaneers and Noah Sidaoui doing the same for the Urban Warriors – to give them their first win.

Seanego scored a last-minute goal to help Pirates win their clash against Chippa United 2-1 and became the first side to reach six points in the tournament.

Pirates recovered from conceding a third-minute Owen Naidoo goal to record their second straight win. Menzi Masuku equalised in the 12th minute before Seanego got a last-gasp, winning goal with a tap in.
Ajax had to wait until the final minute as well to find a goal that gave them a 3-2 win over Polokwane City. Noah Sidaoui scored with a header to complete his brace and give the Cape side their first win.

City took the lead in the 24th minute through Sakhile Ngubo, and Sidaoui equalised nine minutes into the second half, but Sello Matjila restored City’s lead in the 75th minute. Justin Jacobus brought Ajax level three minutes later, before Sadaoui found the winner in stoppage time.

GOALS GALORE

Earlier, Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United played to a 1-1 draw in their Group A clash.

SuperSport broke the deadlock five minutes into the match when striker Lerato Manzini beat goalkeeper Ryaan Pieterse. Chiefs got a quick reply as Hendrick Ekstein put them level in the 10th minute.
In the other afternoon clash, Free State Stars bounced back in style after suffering a defeat against Sundowns, beating AmaZulu 3-1 in the first Group B match of the day.

Adam Basit opened the scoring in the 45th minute and Jackson Maphathe doubled the lead seven minutes into the second half. Bongani Ndimande pulled one back for AmaZulu six minutes later, before Basit ensured Stars win when he completed his brace in the 67th minutes.

In the first matches, Celtic ran riot against home side Swallows handing them an 8-0 drubbing, to take control of Group A.

University of Pretoria also registered their first win of the competition after coming from a goal down to edge Maritzburg United, who suffered their second straight loss.

Celtic, who now lead the group with an eight-goal difference, went to halftime leading 2-0 after goals from Mokone Mereko and Thapelo Morena.

It was one-way traffic in the second half as they added six more goals, with Vuyani Ntanga scoring the first of his four goals within three minutes after the restart. Ishmael Njoti netted the fourth goal minutes later.

Meanwhile, Dumisani Zuma found the back of the net to give Celtic a convincing 5-0 lead, before Nyanda followed with a hat-trick which included a stunning strike from outside the box.

Maritzburg took the lead in the 59th minute after a goalless first half through Bandile Shandu. Botshelo Mfulwane found the equaliser for Tuks 10 minutes later, and Mpho Maruping grabbed the winner in the 74th minute.

RESULTS
Group A:
Moroka Swallows 0-8 Bloemfontein Celtic
University of Pretoria 2-1 Maritzburg United
Kaizer Chiefs 1-1 SuperSport United
Polokwane City 2-3 Ajax Cape Town

Group B:

Free State Stars 3-1 AmaZulu
Orlando Pirates 2-1 Chippa United
Mpumalanga Black Aces 3-3 Bidvest Wits
Platinum Stars 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns

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