Bloemfontein Celtic came from behind to secure a late 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates while Highlands Park and Platinum Stars were forced to play out to a 2-2 in the Absa Premiership on Tuesday evening.

The Buccaneers started the match off the better side and had a chance to take the lead when Oupa Manyisa’s free-kick could only find the woodwork as the scoreline remain goalless after seven minutes of play.

However, four minutes later and the home side broke the deadlock when an error by Letlabika and Patrick Tignyemb handed Manyisa an opportunity at goal before slotting the ball into an empty net to make it 1-0.

Bloem Celtic had a golden opportunity to level matters in the 22nd minute when Mbhazima Rikhotso was picked out at the far post from a free-kick but his headed effort went over the target.

Pirates came close to doubling their lead when Tendai Ndoro played  Manyisa through on goal before firing his effort against the post.

At the other end, Mabaso nearly found the equalising goal he beat his marker before firing his shot across the face of the goal as his effort went inched wide of the post.

In the second half, Hotto had a chance at goal but was denied by Pirates goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane just after the hour mark.

Celtic were gifted with another opportunity to level matters in the 70th minute when Hotto set up substitute Musa Nyatama but his effort flew wide of the target.

The home side eventually found the equaliser in the 77th minute when Phalane fired the ball into the back of the net to beat Mabokgwane to make it 1-1.

However, Celtic all but sealed the victory in stoppage-time when Rikhotso put the ball into the back of the net from a Hotto free-kick to hand his side all three points.

Meanwhile, Highlands Park and Platinum Stars were forced to share the spoils at the Makhulong Stadium following their 2-2 draw in the Absa Premiership.

Mothobi Mvala gave the Lions of the North the lead in the 28th minute and doubled their lead three minutes later when Charlton Mashumba put the ball into the back of the net before Robert Ng’ambi pulled a goal back two minutes later cancelled his goal out five minutes later. However, Highlands Park managed to take the lead again when

However, Benson Shilongo made share his side walked away with a point after getting on the scoresheet on the stroke of half-time as both side’s share a point each.

Image: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix