KWAMASHU - Steve Komphela is enjoying a new lease of life in his tenure with Bloemfontein Celtic while his former side Kaizer Chiefs are still struggling even without his presence.
Komphela made it two victories from two matches as he swept past Abafana Bes'thende at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu in an Absa Premiership encounter. It is a perfect start for Komphela. His side have scored four goals and kept two clean sheets in two league matches.
While Komphela is enjoying a good start with his new employers, Amakhosi are struggling under the new leadership of Giovanni Solinas. Chiefs are yet to collect maximum points in two league matches and they have conceded two four goals. Many thought Komphela was the main problem at Chiefs but he is showing that he is more than capable.
Celtic are going through management problems but his players are playing with confidence. It is still early in the season but Celtic have already sent a statement of intent that they will be no push overs. Alfred Ndengane and Lorenzo Gordinho have formed a formidable pairing at the back.
Arrows coach, Clinton Larsen, made one change in the team that got the better of Maritzburg United this past weekend in highly contested KwaZulu-Natal derby. Thabo Molefe made way for Nkanyiso Cele in the middle of the park.
Abafana Bes'thende were lucky not to concede 17 minutes in to the match as Bongani Sam hit the post after he was picked out at a corner kick by Kabelo Dlamini, but the woodwork came to Arrows rescue.
Five minutes later, Tshegofatso Mabasa broke the deadlock for Celtic as he showed composure and calmness to beat Nkosingiphile Gumede between the post for Arrows. Ndumiso Mabena was the provider for Celtic opener.
Full time here at Princess Magogo Stadium pic.twitter.com/foOLyPkgsE
— Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) August 8, 2018
Celtic didn't play like team that going through torrid times off the field as they were the hungrier of the two sides. They controlled the proceedings with Given Mashikhinya and Lantshane Phalane exchanging some neat passes. Phalane fired a bullet just before the interval but his shot just wide.
Arrows looked flat and lacked mobility. Celtic continued where they left of before the interval as Kabelo Dlamini increased the lead with a with a superb strike minutes in to the second half.
Lamola should have cut the deficit for Arrows but fluffed an elementary chance to put his side back in to the match. Lamola tried to round Patrick Tignyemb who used his experience to keep Arrows at bay.
Komphela then brought in Lucky Baloyi for the ever energetic Tebogo Potsane. The ideas was simple, it was to consolidate in the midfield as Arrows gained momentum after they introduced Siphelele Magubane and Siboniso Conco. The duo came on for Siphamandla Sabelo and Cele.
Celtic were tactical nous at the back and had all the answers for the questions that were thrown to them by Abafana Bes'thende. Arrows have to pick themselves up quickly before they travel to Mamelodi Sundowns in a crunch MTN 8 quarterfinal showdown on Saturday.