Celtic worried about their porous defence
Defending leads with all they have is still a big battle for Bloemfontein Celtic‚ co-coach Lehlohonolo Seema admitted after his side threw away a 2-1 secondhalf advantage to lose 3-2 to Bidvest Wits at Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday night.
“The effort was there‚ the heart was there‚ especially in the second half‚ but we should have done better‚” said Seema of the Absa Premiership encounter his side threw away in the last 10 minutes as they allowed Wits substitutes Hasheem Domingo and Gift Motupa to score the late goals.
“Once it bounces inside the box and we have the numbers there‚ ‘defend with everything‚ you’re leading’. At least take a draw. But that shows also the quality of Wits bec ause they never gave up. Yaah‚ credit must go to them but I’m happy with the effort that the guys gave.
“The first half we were not there at all‚ even our passes were not good ... but if you don’t use your chances then goals like these will come back to haunt you.”
Seemafelt his charges could have defended better the situations that led to Domingo and Motupa’s goals.
“It’s a good team‚ Wits‚ and it’s hard playing them‚ but today we played football and they scored goals‚” said the former Orlando Pirates midfielder.
“That was the unfortunate thing because after scoring the two goals we looked OK‚ but the soft goals that we let in once again showed our Achilles.
“We can’t defend our leads and we always concede when we have the numbers there.
“It’s a young team and you can always expect that up until they get where you want them.
“Maybe next season they’ll be an experienced team because they would have learned from the mistakes like this.”
One thing Seema was happy with was the return of the team’s experienced defender Wandisile Letlabika from an eight-month layoff through injury.
“Letlabika will come and stabilise us and give us that leadership at the back also.”
Celtic‚ in a healthy sixth position‚ will look to regain their form when they host Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Stadium on Sunday.
Seema’s team are sharing the Port Elizabeth stadium with the Chilli Boys while their home venue at Dr Molemela Stadium is being rehabilitated.
● See page 28