Chiefs look to continue strong form

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Feb 23, 2018. 09:30

Kaizer Chiefs will look to continue their strong form in the Absa Premiership when they host Bloemfontein Celtic at FNB Stadium on 24 February 2018, kick-off at 20h15.

Chiefs claimed a fifth win from their last eight matches (from which they are unbeaten) when they defeated Cape Town City 1-0 at home on February 17. The Soweto giants have claimed 18 points from a possible 24 in the sequence.

The Amakhosi have picked up just 14 points from 10 home matches this season, though their last four turns as hosts have produced three wins and a draw.

Celtic saw their winless streak in the league extended to five matches when they suffered a 4-2 defeat at SuperSport United on February 3. The Bloemfontein side has picked up just two points from the last 15 up for grabs and conceded 10 goals in the sequence.

Phunya Sele Sele have claimed just 10 points from 11 away matches this season. They haven’t won a game on the road since mid-October when they edged Cape Town City 1-0.

In head-to-head terms, Celtic and Chiefs have met in 60 league matches since 1985, with the Soweto giants claiming 33 wins compared to 10 for their Bloemfontein counterparts. The Amakhosi have won 23 of their 30 home league matches in the rivalry, suffering just two defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season they played out a 1-1 draw in Bloemfontein in August 2017, with Erick Mathoho’s goal cancelled out by a penalty from Atusaye Nyondo. That spot kick was Celtic’s first league goal against Chiefs since a 2-2 draw back in the 2010/11 campaign.

Chiefs’ line-up from their 1-0 win over CT City on February 17: Khune, Mphahlele, Cardoso, Hadebe, Zulu, Molangoane, Katsande, Ntshangase (Tshabalala 58’), Meyiwa (Ekstein 80’), Castro (Parker 74’), Moon.

Celtic’s line-up from their 4-2 loss to SuperSport on February 3: Tignyemb, Maruping, Rikhotso, Motshegwa (Mabaso 77’), Lubisi, Mabena, Gordinho, Baloyi, Hotto, Masuku (Nemukondeni 74’), Letsoalo (Nyundu 85’).