Celtic ready for Baroka challenge

Bloemfontein Celtic will now chase their second win in the Absa Premiership when they welcome Baroka FC on Wednesday night at the Free State Stadium.

Kick-off is at 7:30pm.

Siwelele are set to host the Limpopo side as they play their fourth league match and will be banking on their home ground advantage.

Celtic are fresh from a 2-1 win over Polokwane City last week and have drawn their opening two home matches to Kaizer Chiefs and Golden Arrows.

Coach Veselin Jelusic is targeting his second win in a row since taking charge of the side prior the beginning of the new 2017/18 campaign.

On the part of the visitors, Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele are also in high spirits after a 1-0 win over Free State Stars last weekend.

Coach Kgoloko Thobejane has led his side to two wins over Chippa United and Ea Lla Koto, but they also have two draws against Orlando Pirates and neighbours Rise and Shine.

With Baroka having started their campaign on a high, their mission is to go all the way to Bloemfontein and come back with the full three points.

Previous starting XI

Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb, Pfumbidzai, Rikhotso, Ndengane, Mabena, Letsoalo, Lubisi, Baloyi, Hotto, Phalane, Motshegwa

Baroka FC: Vries, Kgoetyane, Shaku, Banda, Mothupa, Moeti, Madubanya, Mdantsane, Chawapiwa, Ntshangase, Nguzana

Head-to- Head

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2016/17 Celtic 2-1 Baroka Sankara, Nyatama; Mothupa

2016/17 Baroka 1-1 Celtic Mahashe; Lakay

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2016/17)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Celtic 1 1 0 0 2 1

Baroka 1 0 1 0 1 1

Away

P W D L GF GA

Celtic 1 0 1 0 1 1

Baroka 1 0 0 1 1 2

Total

P W D L GF GA

Celtic 2 1 1 0 3 2

Baroka 2 0 1 1 2 3

What the teams are saying:

Bloemfontein Celtic assistant coach John Maduka:

“Yes, the mission is to bag another win and to beat another Limpopo side will be good for the confidence of the team and the fans,” said Maduka.

"We are looking forward to the game and we know this won't be easy, to be honest, because they have just won two games so far.

"Baroka are doing well, they have two wins in succession over Chippa United and Free State Stars, they will come here looking for the three points.

“However, we know what we have to do. We are at home and the boys have trained hard preparing for this match.

"We want to register our first win at home as we drew 1-1 against Kaizer Chiefs in our first match at home.

"We call on our supporters to cheer up the boys and ensure we retain the full three points."

Baroka FC assistant coach McDonald Makhubedu:

“Yeah, look, this is a tough assignment for the team, but we are ready and up for the challenge," said Makhubedu.

"Celtic plays good football, they have good individual players who can win matches at any given time.

"We are also confident when it comes to this one because we have won two matches and we will aim for the full three points or at least a point, but we cannot afford to lose."

Key players for Bloemfontein Celtic:

Alfred Ndengane:

The versatile player has been a mainstay in the Celtic line-up. His height and ability to read dangerous situations will come to help the team as they chase their second successive victory.

Lucky Baloyi:

Baloyi is expected to add more steel and attacking options for the Free State outfit. Baloyi is one of the experienced campaigners at Celtic and will want to down the side from his hometown in Limpopo.

Key players for Baroka FC:

Olaleng Shaku:

The skipper carries a huge responsibility on his shoulders as they want to retain their Premier Soccer League status and finish in a decent spot in the league. His leadership from the back means Celtic will have to keep a close eye on him.

Lucky Nguzana:

Nguzana did well against Stars as he managed to find himself in good spaces. Although he missed good chances to score, he will now want to rectify all of that and find the back of the net.