Bloemfontein Celtic defeated 10-man Polokwane City 2-1 in an Absa Premiership clash at Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Goals from Joel Mogorosi and Frank Mhango sandwiched an equaliser from Moffat Mdluli as Phunya Sele Sele moved – temporarily at least – into sixth place on the log. Rise and Shine remain in 14th, just two points above the relegation zone.

Celtic threatened an early goal through Lerato Lamola, but he saw his fifth minute shot well saved by City goalkeeper Modiri Marumo.

But on 21 minutes there was nothing Marumo could do to stop Joel Mogorosi opening the scoring. The Botswana international latched onto an assist by Keegan Buchanan and finished with a right-footed shot to make it 1-0.

Yet Celtic’s lead last just a couple of minutes, as the visitors pulled level midway through the first half. Midfielder Moffat Mdluli found the back of the net with a right-footed drive to make it 1-1.

Musa Bilankulu missed out on a chance to put the hosts back ahead in the 28th minute, rising highest to meet a corner kick only to direct his header wide of the target.

Celtic made a change at the start of the second half, introducing Frank Mhango off the bench. The substitute made an impact on 53 minutes when he got on the end of a pass from Lamola and beat Marumo to make it 2-1.

Polokwane’s hopes of getting back in the game were dealt a massive blow in the 65th minute when right-back Tlou Molekwane was shown a straight red card.

Again 10 men, Celtic were able to see out the game in relative comfort and claim a deserved 2-1 win.

Bloemfontein Celtic (1) 2 (Mogorosi 21’, Mhango 53’)

Polokwane City (1) 1 (Mdluli 23’)

Teams:

Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb, Nkausu, Daniels, Bilankulu, Mahoa, Mogorosi, Gabonamong, Lamola (Manzini 76’), Letlabika, Buchanan (Ndengane 82’), Ntanga (Mhango 46’)

Polokwane City: Marumo, Molekwane, Mngqibisa, Tshilo, Mthimkulu, Rakhale, Mdluli (Majata 84’), Lichaba, Jembula (Mncwango 77’), Kanyenda, Tlolane