Celtic scored first through Moses Spandeel, but a spectacular long-range effort from Tebogo Langerman ensured a share of the spoils. It means Celtic are now tied on 26 points with Thanda Royal Zulu and the relegation battle seems set to go down to the wire.
The visitors started cautiously and let the hosts do all the attacking. Celtic captain Cyrille Mubiala led by example, defending with gusto and marshalling the backline with authority.
Wits striker Calvin Kadi’s pace though, was often too much for the Celtic rearguard. On one such occasion he lost his marker, but his shot went inches wide of the upright. Wits midfielders Marawaan Bantam and Fabricio Rodrigues also took their chances, but hardly tested Patrick Tignyemb.
In the 13th minute Celtic struck when Spandeel and Gert Schalkwyk unlocked the Wits rearguard with a neat one-two, and the Celtic number 11 finished with aplomb, lofting the ball over keeper Darren Keet.
Wits looked for a quick comeback and fullback Justin Miller foraged up the right flank and sent in a telling cross that Kadi headed past the goal. Wits continued to press and equalised in the 27th minute through Tebogo Langerman. The lanky midfielder raced towards goal unopposed and fired in a rocket.
Celtic hardly got out of their half as Wits held them back and they went in to the break 1-1.
Schalkwyk tried a speculative shot from 35 yards out as he spotted Keet off his line, but it was in vain. Celtic looked more determined to get forward, but their finishing was wretched and they hardly tested Keet.
Tlou Segolela, who replaced Schalkwyk just after the hour-mark, shot across the face of goal and Spandeel also missed a glorious chance as Darrel Smith put him through on goal.
Wits peppered the Celtic goal in the dying minutes, but the Bloemfontein team held on for a valuable draw and just edge out of the relegation zone into 14th place.
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