AmaZayoni, looking to cut the gap to third-from-bottom Bidvest Wits to just two points, missed a host of clear scoring opportunities and had to settle for a point in a game in which they could, and probably should, have collected all three on offer.

Yet the same could be said of Phunya Sele Sele, with the normally reliable Prince Olomu particularly guilty of profligacy in front of goal as the side from Bloemfontein looked to mathematically secure their place in the top eight of the standings.

Aces created the first chance of the game in the seventh minute, with Mpho Maleka running into Darrel Smith’s knockdown, but the striker’s effort from a tight angle only found the side netting.

Four minutes later Sandile Zuke tried his luck from long range but his low drive skidded wide of Patrick Tignyemb’s goal.

On 13 minutes Prince Olomu should have opened the scoring for the visitors. The Nigerian latched onto a ball in the penalty area and pushed forward into space, but his right-footed effort was wide of the mark.

Just past the half hour mark, Aces’ Lindokuhle Mbatha threatened to score a wonderful solo goal after a mazy run had seen him beat a couple of Celtic defenders but he scuffed his shot under pressure from Gary Goldstone.

It was then the turn of Olomu to again spurn a great scoring chance, failing to convert a one-on-one opportunity with AmaZayoni goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro who made a good save to his left-hand side.

Nine minutes into the second half Maleka fired off a good low drive but the ball went straight into the arms of Tignyemb.

On 56 minutes Celtic’s Patrick Malokase just couldn’t get enough dip on a free kick just outside the penalty area and the ball flashed just over the crossbar.

Around the hour mark Aces wasted two glorious opportunities, with Smith only finding Tignyemb’s hands with a free header and Maleka blazing wide of goal after a knockdown in the penalty area had given the striker his side’s best chance of the game.

Less than a minute after Maleka had missed that opportunity, Olomu had yet another terrific chance. Again faced with only the goalkeeper to beat, Celtic’s leading scorer sliced his shot onto the base of the upright.

AmaZayoni continued to create chances but they simply didn’t have the beating of Tignyemb. With just over ten minutes to play substitute Madoda Motha saw his header saved by the goalkeeper after good work down the right by Mbatha.

With five minutes to go Malokase rounded Murambadoro but his chipped effort from a tight angle was cleared off the line by Shere Lekgothoane (who injured himself in a collision with the post) and then a header mere seconds later from Moses Spandeel was superbly palmed away by Murambadoro.

Teams:

Aces: (4-4-2) Murambadoro; October, Sithole, Musasa, Lekgothoane; Mbatha, Zuke, Makoti (Mokoena 40’), Mulenga (Themba 66’); Maleka, Smith (Motha 70’)

Celtic: (4-4-2) Tignyemb; Sambu, Khaile, Goldstone, Motlhaping; Oersen (Mayambela 45+2’), Nthethe, Kalala (Walaza 65’), Spandeel; Malokase, Olomu