Bloemfontein Celtic secured a 2-0 victory over 10-men Chippa United at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in the Absa Premiership on Sunday afternoon.

The Chilli Boys got off to a brighter start in the opening exchanges and dominated possession on the ball as the match went on.

Celtic claimed the first opportunity of the match in the fifth minute when Lanttshene Phalane played Deon Hotto through on goal, but his effort could only find the side netting.

Chippa were then reduced to ten men in the 25th minute when Rhulani Manzini was sent off for an off-the-ball headbutt on Alfred Ndengane.

The Chilli Boys came close to opening the scoring in the 52nd minute when Paseka Mako beat the Celtic shot-stopper but could only fire his effort wide of the target.

However, the home side took the lead in the 77th minute after a great team play resulted in Musa Nyatama slotting the ball into the back of the net from close range to make it 1-0.

The visiting side nearly equalised five minutes later when substitute Andile Mbenyane played Bereng through on goal, but the midfielder guided his effort wide of the target.

Celtic all but sealed the victory when Kabelo Mahlasela was adjudged to have been brought down in the area and Nyatama stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake from the spot kick.

Celtic have now recorded their first Absa Premiership victory of 2017 and go five points clear of the bottom of the table.

Image: Samuel Shivambu/Backpagepix