SuperSport United let a two-goal lead slip as they were condemned to a 5-4 loss on penalties against Bloemfontein Celtic in a Telkom Knockout last-16 tie, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

Celtic XI: 30. Tignyemb, 3. Pfumbidzai, 22. Rikhotso, 27. Ndengane, 9. Nyondo, 13. Letsoalo, 33. Motshegwa, 35. Baloyi, 11. Jembula, 8. Phalane, 5. Letlabika.

SuperSport XI: 1. Pieterse, 18. Nhlapo, 20. Kekana, 4. Daniels, 5, Mashamaite, 16. Modiba, 8. Furman, 28. Mokoena, 21. Myeni, 15. Wome, 11. Brockie.

The game got off to a cagey start with both teams sniffing out each other’s weaknesses early on.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when defender Siyabonga Nhlapo’s ball into the area found Aubrey Modiba, who made no mistake with his finish.

Celtic looked to claw their way back into their clash with Lantshene Phalane proving a nuisance to the SuperSport defence, however the visitors held firm and maintained their one-goal lead into the half-time break.

The home side chanelled more of their efforts into getting the equaliser and almost did so in the 52nd minute, but Dean Furman’s timely interception broke down their well-worked move.

Any thoughts of a comeback was quashed two minutes later as Jeremy Brockie got on to the end of Dove Wome’s defence-splitting pass before firing home.

Celtic were, however, not dead and buried as they launched a series of attacks towards the SuperSport goalframe. However, Reyaad Pieterse proved equal to everything thrown at him.

The home side reduced the deficit in the 78th minute when they were awarded a penalty, which Tshepo Rikhotso duly converted.

SuperSport looked in danger of squandering the lead with Celtic throwing numbers forward in attack, and the home side were rewarded for their efforts in the 82nd minute when Jacky Motshegwa levelled matters.

Neither side were able to find the winner in the remaining minutes of the game, forcing the game into extra time.

Modiba continued with his fine form and thought he had grabbed the winner in the 93rd minute, but goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb pulled off a fine save to keep his side in the game.

Celtic were reduced to ten men in the 104th minute when Roggert Nyundu was shown his second yellow card.

Despite a late flurry of chances for SuperSport, Celtic managed to force the game into penalties, where they emerged as victors after missed penalties by Clayton Daniels and Fagrie Lakay proved costly.

Photo: Gerhard Steenkamp/Backpagepix