Celtic aim to break winless streak at home to improving Stellenbosch

Bloemfontein Celtic will look to break their winless streak in the 2020-21 DStv Premiership season when they host Stellenbosch FC at Dr Molemela Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

Celtic have gone four league matches without a win after they were beaten 2-1 at SuperSport United on January 13, with Victor Letsoalo scoring their consolation goal. Phunya Sele Sele have claimed eight points from five home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 1-1 draw with AmaZulu earlier this month.

"I think we played well, it was just unfortunate that we conceded goals on set-pieces," said Celtic head coach John Maduka. "We could have done better [against SuperSport]. A loss is not a true reflection of the match because we controlled the game for large parts but we weren't sharp enough in the final third.

"We played one of best games of the season. The Stellenbosch game is now a must win game, it is very difficult away from home so when playing at home you must make sure that you get all three points. We will go all out to try and achieve just that."

Stellenbosch have gone three league matches unbeaten after they played out a 1-1 home draw with Black Leopards on January 8, with Phathutshedzo Nange scoring their equalising goal. Stellies have taken five points from as many away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 2-2 draw at Maritzburg United in mid-December.

Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker is happy with the progress made by his team this season and hopes that they can build on their upward trajectory in coming weeks.

"The goal has always been to be better than we were last season and so far, we're on track," said Barker. "I think it would be too early to talk about a top eight finish but that certainly is the target. I don't see why we can't achieve that.

"We've just got to continue working hard, continue to trust our processes, and continue to be consistent - by doing that with determination, resilience and commitment - we'll reap the fruits of our labour come the end of the season."

In head-to-head stats, Celtic and Stellenbosch have met in two previous top-flight league matches. Both of those encounters took place last season, with Phunya Sele Sele completing a league ‘double’ by winning 2-1 both in Bloemfontein in September 2019 and in Cape Town in January 2020.

Players to watch: Bloemfontein Celtic

Ndumiso Mabena: The veteran forward has been a consistent performer for Celtic and continues to showcase a desire for scoring goals. The Siwelele captain has scored two goals in six league games this season but hasn't found the back of the next since late November. With only 10 goals in 10 matches, Celtic have underperformed in attack and Mabena will be key to reigniting the threat they can and should be posing in front of goal.

Lantshene Phalane: The hard-running midfielder's return to form and fitness has come as a real boost and he will be key coming up against a Stellenbosch side that boast a lot of talent in the middle of the park. Celtic will rely on him to provide valuable cover in front of the defensive line.

Players to watch: Stellenbosch FC

Phathutshedzo Nange: With two goals off the bench in his last two games for the club, Barker will be a brave man not to start the former Bidvest Wits midfielder from the onset, even if that means sacrificing his energy off the bench. Nange covers every blade of grass and offers not just attacking support, but boasts a genuine eye for goal.

Alan Robertson: The Stellies centre-back has played every minute of the league season thus far in establishing himself as an integral member of the Stellies squad. While he hasn't always received the praise he deserves, that has changes this season with many taking note of his improved performances at the heart of the Stellenbosch defence.