Celtic look to claim Pirates’ scalp

Bloemfontein Celtic will look to claim the scalp of Orlando Pirates when the teams meet in a Round 3 DStv Premiership clash at Dr Molemela Stadium on Wednesday 4 November 2020.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT.

Celtic suffered a first defeat of their league campaign when they were beaten 1-0 at Swallows FC on October 28, with defender Ronald Pfumbidzai netting a late own goal, while they were also in action this past weekend, playing to a 1-1 draw away to SuperSport United in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal.

Phunya Sele Sele claimed the lead through Ndumiso Mabena and were very impressive on attack in the first half, but failed to capitalise on their dominance – a mistake they cannot afford in this midweek battle against Pirates.

“The first half we managed to create so many chances,” said Celtic coach John Maduka. “If we were sharp enough, the game was supposed to be finished in the first half. It’s one of the things, you score some, you miss some.”

He added, “We are supposed to know to be very, very clinical... make sure that we get a chance, you score. If you miss opportunities, it gets back to you. The pressure’s on you, now you have to defend.”

Pirates, meanwhile, have yet to win in the Premiership so far this season, playing to 1-1 draws with AmaZulu (away) and Stellenbosch (home), but they clicked into top gear this past weekend when they destroyed Kaizer Chiefs in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal.

Goals from Zakhele Lepasa, Vincent Pule and Thembinkosi Lorch saw the Buccaneers to a 3-0 home win over their arch rivals and saw them put one foot in the MTN8 final – which may well be against Celtic!

Yet it was not all good news for Pirates, who are set to be without coach Josef Zinnbauer for this game after he departed for Germany on the weekend to attend to an urgent personal matter. Assistant Fadlu Davids is expected to be in charge against Celtic.

“We have been practising our structure in training and it helped us,” said Lorch, who has returned to form after some recent troubles. “I would like to thank the almighty god for the talent that he gave me and I would like to thank my family, especially my dad and my mom for supporting me through difficulties.”

In head-to-head stats, Celtic and Pirates have met in 64 league matches since 1985. The Buccaneers have claimed 32 wins compared to 15 for Phunya Sele Sele, while 17 matches have been drawn. The Bloemfontein side has claimed 11 wins from 32 home matches in the rivalry, suffering 11 defeats in the process.

Pirates took four points off Celtic last season, winning 3-1 at Orlando Stadium in August 2019 before the teams played out a 1-1 draw in the return in Bloemfontein in January 2020, with goals from Frank Mhango and Siphelele Luthuli.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bloemfontein Celtic

Sipho Chaine – With first-choice Jackson Mabokgwane stretchered off this past weekend, goalkeeper Sipho Chaine could well find himself in the firing line and looking to keep out a Pirates attack which has recently clicked into top gear.

Given Mashikinya – The hard-working midfielder replaced the injured Lantshene Phalane against SuperSport United on Sunday and gave a solid showing – something he will need to repeat against a mobile and creative Buccaneers team.

Orlando Pirates

Thulani Hlatshwayo – The burly central defender already looks at home in an Orlando Pirates shirt, but he will not be satisfied until he leads the Buccaneers to a first clean sheet – and win – in the DStv Premiership this season.

Thembinkosi Lorch – The attacking midfielder returned to something like his best in the MTN8 clash against Kaizer Chiefs this past weekend and will look to bring that form to this midweek match against Celtic.