Polokwane desperate to break losing streak

by Staff Reporter

Friday Nov 29, 2019. 08:31

Polokwane City will be desperate to break their losing streak in the Absa Premiership when they host Bloemfontein Celtic at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday 30 November 2019, kick-off at 15h30.

Polokwane suffered a sixth straight defeat when they went down 3-2 away to Orlando Pirates on November 26, in a match which saw each side end with 10 men. Rise and Shine have claimed just six points from five home matches in the 2019/20 campaign.

Celtic played to a second successive league draw (and a third from their last four matches) when they were held 0-0 at home by Cape Town City on November 27. Phunya Sele Sele have claimed just three points from five winless away matches this season.

In head-to-head stats, Polokwane and Celtic have met in 12 league matches since 2013/14. The Bloemfontein team has claimed six wins compared to four for their Limpopo counterparts, while two matches have ended in draws. Rise and Shine have claimed two wins from six home matches in the rivalry, suffering four defeats in the process.

Last season the teams’ two league meetings both ended in away wins: City won 2-1 in Bloemfontein in December 2018, while the return game in April 2019 ended 2-1 in favour of Celtic, thanks to goals from Kabelo Dlamini and Ndumiso Mabena.

Polokwane’s line-up from their 3-2 loss to Pirates on November 26: Chibwe, Mvelase, Mbonani (Nthatheni 26′), Motloung, Hlongwane, Maluleke, Phiri, Hlubi (Mngomezulu 59′), Tlolane, Nene (Anas 76′), Mashumba.

Celtic’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with CT City on November 27: Mabokgwane, Mashikinya (Maema 73′), Mahashe, Ngobeni, Mabena, Baloyi, Pfumbidzai, Phalane, Masuku (Matjila 84′), Luthuli, Motebang (Fikizolo 75′).