Football
Nick Said, Special to ESPN 5y

Sundowns and Pirates draw as Bloem Celtic stun Bidvest Wits

Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates played to a goalless draw in their crunch Absa Premiership clash at Loftus Stadium on Saturday, while 10-man Bidvest Wits lost 2-1 at home after a late rally from Bloemfontein Celtic.

Pirates extended their lead at the top of the table to three points ahead of Wits, though they have played two games more.

Perhaps the big talking point in their clash with Sundowns was a skirmish between the two dugouts late in the first half as a home fan appeared to make his way into the Pirates technical area to confront their bench.

That led to extra security on the touchline, but the tackles continued to fly in on the pitch.

Jeremy Brockie had an early chance for Sundowns that he put wide, while the home side were dealt a blow when they lost midfielder Andile Jali to injury in the opening 12 minutes.

Thabiso Kutumela and Justin Shonga each had chances for Pirates, but could not convert and by late in the second half both teams appeared to settle for a point.

Wits looked on their way to victory at Bidvest Stadium when Haashim Domingo blasted in a superb free-kick against Celtic.

They held that lead until the final 10 minutes when Robyn Johannes was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box and received a red card.

Tshegofatso Mabaso converted from the spot and then added a second when he beat the offside trap and rounded goalkeeper Darren Keet.

The win lifts Celtic up to third, three points behind Pirates and with three games in hand.

Kaizer Chiefs played to a dull 0-0 draw with Chippa United in a match behind closed doors in Durban, with neither side looking as though they would find a winner.

Baroka FC came from behind to defeat Golden Arrows 2-1 and ease the pressure on Zambian coach Wedson Nyirenda.

Lerato Lamola put Golden Arrows in front after 11 minutes, but Jemondre Dickens scored his first Premiership goal to level the score, and Vusi Sibiya grabbed a winner early in the second half, also his maiden top-flight goal.

Finally, SuperSport United piled on the pressure for Free State Stars coach Luc Eymael as they won 1-0 in Bethlehem thanks to a goal from English striker James Keene.

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