Leopards look to upset Celtic

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Sep 14, 2018. 12:11

Black Leopards will look to upset Bloemfontein Celtic when the teams meet in an Absa Premiership clash at Thohoyandou Stadium on 16 September 2018, kick-off at 15h00.

Leopards come into the game looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, a 2-1 home loss at the hands of a 10-man Orlando Pirates on August 28.

Lidoda Duvha’s only other home game so far this season brought a 1-0 derby win over Polokwane City on the opening weekend of August.

Celtic continued their unbeaten start to the season when they fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Kaizer Chiefs, with Menzi Masuku and Ndumiso Mabena scoring for the Bloemfontein side.

Phunya Sele Sele have claimed four points from their two away matches this season, as their draw with the Amakhosi is joined by a win at Golden Arrows in early August.

In head-to-head stats, Leopards and Celtic have met in 12 league matches since 2004/05. The teams have a dead-even record: three wins apiece, six draws and 19 goals scored each. The Limpopo side has recorded two wins, three draws and one defeat in six games as hosts.

Lidoda Duvha and Phunya Sele Sele last met in the 2012/13 season, with the former claiming four points from their two matches thanks to a 3-2 home win and 1-1 draw in the return game in December 2012 – the most recent clash of the clubs in any competition.

Leopards’ line-up from their 2-1 loss to Pirates on August 28: Muleka, Munyai, Ndou, Munganga, Mashoane, Nene (Kapinga 77’), Tshepe (T. Ndlovu 61’), Nange, Mudau (Mhlongo 46’), Khutlang, Musonda.

Celtic’s line-up from their 2-2 draw with Chiefs on August 29: Tignyemb, Rikhotso, Ndengane, Gordinho, Sam, Potsane (Masuku 49'), Mashikinya, Phalane, Dlamini (Letsoalo 71'), Mabaso (Baloyi 52'), Mabena.