Celtic target return to winning form

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Apr 24, 2018. 13:02

Bloemfontein Celtic will target a return to winning form in the Absa Premiership when they host Chippa United at Dr Molemela Stadium on 24 April 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

Celtic have gone three league matches without a victory after they were held 1-1 away to regional rivals Free State Stars on April 14. The Bloemfontein side’s last victory was at home to bottom-of-the-log Platinum Stars in mid-March.

Phunya Sele Sele have claimed 22 points from 13 home matches this season, with their last game as hosts bringing a 1-1 draw against AmaZulu in early April.

Chippa have picked up four points from their last two matches, with a 3-0 win at Kaizer Chiefs followed by a 1-1 draw at home to Ajax Cape Town on April 15 – it was their 13th drawn match of the 2017/18 league season.

The Chilli Boys have claimed just 15 points from 13 away matches this season, and prior to their victory at Chiefs they had failed to win in four successive games on the road.

In head-to-head stats, Chippa and Celtic have met in nine league matches since 2012/13. Phunya Sele Sele have claimed four wins compared to three for the Chilli Boys, while two matches have been drawn. The Bloemfontein side has won three of their four home matches in the rivalry and suffered one defeat in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, in Port Elizabeth in September 2017, they played out a goalless stalemate. The result was a second 0-0 draw between the teams in their last three league meetings, none of which Chippa have scored in.

Celtic’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with Stars on April 14: Tignyemb, Lubisi, Rikhotso, Ndengane, Hotto, Baloyi, Phalane, Dlamini (Maema 71’), Motshegwa (Shikweni 84’), Letsoalo, (Mabaso 87’) Mabena.

Chippa’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with Ajax on April 15: Akpeyi, Macheke, Nsabiyumva, Okwuosa, Mako, Mntambo, Rakhale, Macuphu (Manqele 77’), Mabaso, Mayambela, Sali (Bergman 85’).