Samir Nurkovic’s bagged a hat-trick as Kaizer Chiefs came from behind to clinch a thrilling 5-3 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
The Glamour Boys came into this encounter on a seven-game winning run with their last league victory coming against Stellenbosch FC, who they defeated 4-0 at Cape Town Stadium on 27 November.
Celtic, meanwhile, came into this game on a five-game unbeaten run in the league after claiming a narrow 1-0 victory over Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on 30 November.
The last time the two sides met, Amakhosi and Celtic were forced to share the spoils after playing out to a goalless draw at the FNB Stadium.
A goalless draw at the FNB Stadium settled the affair in the corresponding fixture last season.
Celtic got off to the perfect start and took the lead in the 12th minute when Ndumiso Mabena latched on to a long ball before calmly slotting the ball past Daniel Akpeyi.
Amakhosi then levelled matters in the 21st minute after Samir Nurkovic found the back of the net with an stunning strike to make it 1-1.
The home side then took the lead for the second time in the game two minutes later when Harris Tchilimbou showed his composure to slot the ball home from close range.
Nurkovic then drew the game level for the second time in the 30th minute after steering the ball into the back of the goal with a neat header.
Celtic then took the lead for the third time five minutes later when Siphelele Luthuli fired the ball into the bottom corner after beating Akpeyi in a one-on-one situation.
The game went into the half time break with the score line at 3-2 in favour of Celtic after a frenetic first half in Durban.
Amakhosi came out guns blazing in the second half and levelled matter in the 47th minute when Leonardo Castro nodded the ball home from close range.
Ernst Middendorp made his first change seven minutes later when George Maluleka came on to replace Kearyn Baccus.
Nurkovic then completed his hat-trick in the 60th minute to hand Amakhosi the lead for the first time in the game after finding the net with a first-time finish from a Castro delivery.
Celtic made a change of their own when they introduced Sera Motebang to replace Tchilimbou in the 69th minute before brining on Sepana Letsoalo for Tebogo Potsane a minute later.
Castro then bagged his second goal of the game in the 71st minute after he nodded the ball home from a resulting corner.
Amakhosi made their second change in the 80th minute when Castro was taken off and replaced by Siyabonga Ngezana.
Amakhosi held on to their their lead over Celtic until the final whistle to claim all three points to extend their winning run in the league to eight games.
