Celtic reach final after shootout

JOHANNESBURG: Bloemfontein Celtic reached the South African League Cup final for the first time since 2012 when they edged Polokwane City 4-3 on penalties Sunday after a dour 1-1 semi-final draw.
Celtic will meet Johannesburg-based Wits, who upset Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 the previous day, in a December 2 title decider in Indian Ocean port city Durban. Several acrobatic saves from Cameroon-born Celtic goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb kept the match goalless until the end of regular time in northern city Polokwane. Jackie Motshegwa broke the deadlock 13 minutes into extra time from close range after a training ground free-kick manoeuvre created an opening.
Rendani Ndou levelled with five minutes remaining when his glancing header off a corner flew into the roof of the net. Polokwane, seeking a first South African cup final appearance, failed to convert their second and third spot-kicks. Rodney Ramagalela blazed wide after repositioning the ball when it rolled, then captain Jabulani Maluleke saw his timid effort stopped by Tignyemb. Lucky Baloyi had the fourth Celtic penalty saved by Zimbabwean George Chigova before team-mate Tshegofatso Mabaso converted the final kick to take the club from central South Africa through.