MTN8 Semi-Final
Result: Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 SuperSport United (Celtic won 2-1 on agg.)
Date: 07 November 2020
Venue: Dr Molemela Stadium
Bloemfontein Celtic advanced to the MTN8 final after defeating holders SuperSport United with a 1-0 victory in the second leg of the semi-final.
Celtic made wholesale changes from the side that narrowly lost to Orlando Pirates, with only Tshepo Rikhotso and Siphelele Luthuli surviving while United recalled Teboho Mokoena, Bongani Khumalo, Thamsanqa Gabuza and Ghampani Lungu.
Jamie Webber should have given Matsatsantsa a dream start in the first minute after latching onto a ricochet free in the box but he curled his strike wide.
After Bradley Grobler had a penalty appeal turned down, Victor Letsoalo came close to breaking the deadlock for John Maduka's charges in the 17th minute with a curling strike from the edge of the box that missed the top corner by inches.
Gabuza thought he had found the breakthrough for Kaitano Tembo's charges ten minutes before the break with a header from a corner but the goal was disallowed for a push inside the box.
Celtic adjusted the quickest coming from the break as Letsoalo broke the deadlock five minutes inside the second stanza with a low strike past Williams in a one-on-one situation after a quick free-kick chipped over the defence by Given Mashikinya.
SuperSport had a great chance to level matters in the last 22 minutes after second-half substitute Iqraam Rayners sent a wonderful cross into the box but Gabuza's free header was smothered by shot-stopper Jackson Mabokgwane.
Despite SuperSport's late push, Maduka's men defended in numbers to hold on to claim 1-0 win in the second leg and 2-1 on aggregate victory for a spot in the final.
Here's how they lined up:
Celtic: 16. Mabokgwane, 26. Ngobeni, 13. Luthuli, 3. Mahashe, 10. Mabena, 22. Rikhoto, 34. Fikizolo, 18. Mashikinya, 35. Baloyi, 21. Letsoalo, 15. Pfumbidzai.
Subs: 31. Chaine, 33. Chabalala, 11. Potsane, 2. Tani, 20. De Jongh, 7. Mangweni, 19. Matjila, 25. Ndwandwe, 12. Maema.
SuperSport: 30. Williams, 27. Philipps, 18. Nhlapo, 3. Khumalo, 23. Waiswa, 28. Mokoena, 14. Bhasera, 17. Lungu, 13. Gabuza, 12. Webber, 7. Grobler.
Subs: 31. Pule, 11. Mahachi, 38. Moralo, 19. Rusike, 9. Rayners, 26. Donn, 34. Appollis, 15. Mohomi.
