Celtic look to bounce back

Menzi Masuku of Bloemfontein Celtic and Innocent Maela of Orlando Pirates during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 football match between Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic at Lucas Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg on 03 August 2019 ©/BackpagePix

by BackPageTXT

Friday Sep 13, 2019. 15:29

Bloemfontein Celtic will look to bounce back to winning form in the Absa Premiership when they host Stellenbosch at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Sunday 15 September 2019, kick-off at 15h00.

Celtic suffered their second league loss of the season when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday, August 28. Phunya Sele Sele at least saw a first goal from Lesotho newcomer Motebang Sera, who converted a late penalty.

Stellenbosch, meanwhile, are still winless in the league this season after going down 2-1 away to Bidvest Wits in Johannesburg on Wednesday, August 28. Stellies at least scored for the first time this campaign – even if it was via an own goal from Clever Boys defender Thulani Hlatshwayo.

In head-to-head terms, this will be the first top-flight meeting of Bloemfontein Celtic and Stellenbosch. However, when the latter team was still known as Vasco Da Gama, the clubs met in two league games in the 2010/11 season: the first meeting in the Free State ended in a 1-1 draw, while the return game in Cape Town saw Phunya Sele Sele edging a 1-0 victory.

Celtic’s line-up from their 2-1 loss to Sundowns on August 28: Mpoto, Baloyi, Mahashe, Rikhotso, Pfumbidzai, Masuku (Maloisane 46’), Mashikinya, Luthuli, Potsane (Fikizolo 79’), Tchilimbou (Sera 71’), Mabena.

Stellenbosch’s line-up from their 2-1 loss to Wits on August 28: De Jong, Robertson, Van Heerden, Gould, Mthethwa, Mobbie (Bergman 67’), Matsi, Zungu (Skelem 60’), Moroole, Rayners, Moon (Franco 75’).