SUPERSPORT, CELTIC FIRED UP FOR VITAL POINTS
Both Celtic, SuperSport fired up for win
TONIGHT’S year-ending Absa Premiership clash between Bloemfontein Celtic and SuperSport United pits two sides eager to shake off the after-effects of heavy defeats in their last encounters. This is the view of Celtic defender Ronald Pfumbidzai ahead of the two sides’ meeting tonight (7.30pm), at the back of their biggest league losses of the campaign at the weekend.
Phunya Sele Sele are reeling from a 4-1 mauling by Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, while Matsatsantsa will attempt to bounce back from a 3-1 beating by Baroka on Sunday.
“I think it will be one of the most entertaining games because both teams are coming from humiliations,” Pfumbidzai said yesterday.
“We cannot afford to lose two matches in a row and SuperSport also won’t like that.
“I believe it will make the game a tight contest.”
In their loss to Sundowns, the Free State side Celtic were without coach Veselin Jelusic, who was in his native Serbia to renew his Uefa coaching licence.
But the Zimbabwean left-back thinks the return of their mentor will be a major boost tonight.
“We are excited to have him back,” Pfumbidzai, who scored Celtic’s only goal against Sundowns – his first in South Africa – said.
“He is one of those coaches who are able to influence the game by just motivating the players.
“He is also eager to make sure that we end the year on a high.”
The 22-year-old player joined Bloemfontein Celtic from Zimbabwe giants, Caps United, in August and has featured in 14 games in all competitions so far. Meanwhile, after his side conceded five goals in their last three games, it remains to be seen if SuperSport United coach Eric Tinkler will stick with his second-choice goalkeeper, Reyaad Pieterse, or reinstate Ronwen Williams, who missed the three games.
Celtic has already put one over SuperSport this season, when they eliminated them in the Telkom Knockout first round in October.
Meanwhile, after a relatively promising first half of this season, Maritzburg United coach Fadlu Davids feels the versatility of his players has worked well for a Team of Choice lacking in squad depth.
“I have eight players who can play in six or more different positions. That explains why we have been able to cope with such a small squad,” Davids said.
“I think they have done so well [even though] when you have a young squad it is normal that there will be ups and downs.
“We have 23 players with eight Diski [MultiChoice Diski Challenge] players included in that, plus four goalkeepers.
“We are lucky we have multifunctional players who can play in different positions. It is the smallest squad we have ever had.”
As much as he is content with his youthful squad, Davids hints that the KwaZulu-Natal side will be looking to find an attacking player during the January transfer window.
“Definitely in attack we will look to find a player with the X-factor who will be able to help us find goals, but not necessarily a striker, an attacking player.
“I know that we are creating chances but not converting them the way we should be,” the 36-year-old tactician said.
Davids is still positive that his team is capable of finishing in the top eight, saying that was what they would like to give their fans at the end of the season.
“With these players’ capabilities and tactical flexibilities I am positive we will achieve that at the end of the season.
“We will give our all because it is what we want to give our fans.”
Davids’s side will play the Premiership’s opening fixture of the new year when they visit Ajax Cape Town on January 5.