BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC V POLOKWANE CITY

Bloemfontein Celtic and Polokwane City will go in search of their first win of the Absa Premiership season when they head to the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening, kick-off at 19h30.
The newly-promoted side, who debut in South Africa’s top-flight this season, got their campaign underway in a 1-0 loss to Maritzburg United in the opening game of the season.
Duncan Lechesa’s men put out a hard fought and valiant display to resist The Team of Choice up until a 69th minute strike by Mohammed Yakubu, and it is one they can be proud about.
Lechesa admits that the preparation for their next league encounter has been going well and they are looking forward to making their home debut against Celtic.
“We have been preparing well for this game and our training has been good. The players have responded well and I am happy with the preparations,” he says.
“Obviously it is a home game for us and we are not worrying too much about our opponents because we want to take the game to them. We will be going at them and looking for the points.”
Polokwane will take on the Siwelele with a fully fit squad available to them, including their trio of Botswana players: Ntesang Simanyana, KekaetsweMoloi and Galabgwe Moyanahave, who all received their international clearances.
“All my players are available for the game, including Moffat Mdluli (who joined from SuperSport United). Our Botswana players are also available,” he concluded.
Celtic, too, suffered a similar fate in their opening league encounter to Mamelodi Sundowns, with a 3-1 loss on home soil having dampened their hopeful start to the season.
Their second loss came in a MTN8 quarterfinal elimination at the hands of Bidvest Wits, and striker, Vuyani Ntanga, says they are working hard to make things right.
“We have been working hard and the preparation has been good. Our last game we lost 3-0 to Bidvest Wits and now we are working for Polokwane City,” he says.
“It will not be easy, but we are ready. They are a new side and we haven’t even played them, not even once.
“But they have shown us how they play. We want to focus on Polokwane first and then, only after, will we concentrate on Free State Stars.”
During the break, Celtic have managed to recover Itumeleng Duiker from a thigh injury, while Lerato Manzini and Tladi Majake continue to remain sidelined.
In addition, John Arwuah and Trevor Lamola will both be suspended for the game.