Baroka, Celtic both desperate for victory

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Apr 27, 2018. 09:17

Baroka FC and Bloemfontein Celtic will both be desperate for an Absa Premiership victory when they meet at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 28 April 2018, kick-off a 15h00 CAT.

Baroka suffered a third successive league defeat when they were beaten 1-0 at Ajax Cape Town on April 24. The Limpopo side has won just once in their last 11 matches, with a haul of just eight points from a possible 33 in the sequence hurting their hopes of making the top eight.

Bakgaga have claimed just 18 points from 14 home matches this season, and their last two outings as hosts ended in defeats at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns and Maritzburg United earlier this month.

Celtic played to a third successive league draw when they were held 0-0 at home by Chippa United on April 24. The Bloemfontein side has won just once in their last six matches, taking six points from a possible 18 in the sequence.

Phunya Sele Sele have claimed just 12 points from 14 away matches this season. They haven’t won on the road since beating Cape Town City 1-0 back in October 2017.

In head-to-head stats, Baroka and Celtic have met in three league matches since the start of last season. Each team has claimed one win, with one game ending in a draw. Their meeting earlier this season, in Bloemfontein in September 2017, saw Bakgaga claim a 2-0 away win for their first three-pointer in the rivalry.

Baroka’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Ajax on April 24: Dlamini, Kgoetyane, Mothupa, Madubanya, Nguzana (Soso 78’), Chawapiwa (Mahashe 90’), Kgaswane, Mabotja, Mdantsane, Makgaka (Mosele 59’), Banda.

Celtic’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with Chippa on April 24: Tignyemb, Rikhotoso, Gordinho, Ndengane, Motshegwa, Baloyi, Phalane, Hotto, Letsoalo (Mashikinya 90’), Dlamini (Masuku 81’), Nyundu (Mabaso 90’).