City target big performance against Celtic

CAPE TOWN CITY will look to inflict a fourth straight defeat on Bloemfontein Celtic when the teams meet in a Premier League match at Cape Town Stadium tomorrow (kickoff 6pm).

The Citizens occupy ninth place in the standings on 17 points while Phunya Sele Sele have dropped out of the top three to seventh on the table.

“We’re glad to be back at Cape Town Stadium,” said City assistant coach Vasili Manousakis.

“The venue suits our game to the tee as the field is a big one. And the atmosphere created by our supporters, who we hope to see in big numbers, is also a big positive as it lifts the players who in turn don’t want to disappoint them.

“Celtic are a good soccer team, so are we, so it should be a heck of a contest. Our preparations have gone well and the boys are primed and ready to deliver a telling performance and net the three points on offer.”

Too often chances have been created without being closed out and that is the main reason club owner John Comitis signed 28-year-old Bafana Bafana international Kermit Erasmus on a two-year contract.

“We would love to have Kermit having a go against Celtic, but he will only be joining us in January,” said Manousakis.

“We may revert to fielding our two main strikers, Ayanda Patosi and Siphelele (Mthembu), who have scored four goals apiece. It is a combination that works well for us and we want to see them adding to their tallies.

“Riyaad Norodien, who we recently signed from Orlando Pirates, played in the frontline in the previous league game against Chippa (1-1) and played very well and scored his first of the season.

“For sure we would have liked to have scored more than 17 goals in the 13 games we’ve contested so far, it’s just that we haven’t been able to put the ball into the back of the net when given the chance to do so.”

City’s defence has gone soft at key moments and that has led to soft goals being conceded. The count could have been higher than 17 had goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh not pulled off some stunning saves.

City head coach Benni McCarthy’s decision to convert left-back Edmilson Dove into a left-sided defender has paid dividends, says Manousakis.

“Edmilson doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He’s been a revelation in his new role and kudos to him for all the good stuff he has done,” he said.