Celtic chase home win over champions Sundowns

Bloemfontein Celtic will look for a positive result in their final home match of the 2020-21 DStv Premiership season when they host league champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Wednesday. 

Kick-off is at 5pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

Celtic broke a six-game winless streak when they defeated Chippa United 2-1 away from home on 18 May, with goals from Neo Maema and Ndumiso Mabena. The result pushed them well clear of relegation trouble.

Phunya Sele Sele have taken 23 points from 14 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 0-0 draw with Cape Town City in mid-May.

"Very, very difficult. We need to keep working hard and take it one game at a time. Our next opponent is Sundowns which will be a very difficult game but we've got to keep on working and we will see how it goes," said Celtic head coach John Maduka ahead of the final two rounds of league fixtures. 

"We will continue fighting until we get what we want, we know it won't be easy but we'd like to finish the season strong and get the points that we need. Who knows, maybe we can still make the top eight. We just need to win our games to give ourselves a chance." 

Sundowns, who have already been crowned league champions for a record-extending 11th time in the PSL era, extended their unbeaten run to six matches with a 0-0 draw away to Swallows FC on 29 May. It was a 10th draw of the season for the Tshwane side.

The Brazilians have claimed 32 points from 14 away matches this season and will be looking to complete an unbeaten campaign on the road in 2020-21.

"Preparations have gone very well," said Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi. "Generally the squad is in a very good space and that promises for an interesting match. 

"Celtic have always given us a very good run for our money. They are very organised and play very good football which makes our life very difficult in most cases. But, we do believe we have a team that is able to break them down. 

"They are not as potent as they were before, but they can hurt you if you take them for granted. This is a game we want to win and we will give it our best shot." 

In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and Celtic have met in 65 league matches since 1985. The Brazilians have claimed 32 wins compared to 13 for Phunya Sele Sele, while 20 matches have been drawn. The Bloemfontein side has claimed seven wins and suffered 15 defeats from 32 home matches in the rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Lucas Moripe Stadium in January 2021, they played out a goalless stalemate. Five of the last eight league meetings between Sundowns and Celtic have ended 0-0.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC

Sipho Chaine: With Jackson Mabokgwane suspended, Chaine is set to start in goal for Celtic in midweek. He has only managed two clean sheets in 12 matches for Siwelele this season and will be eager to build on that record against the most potent attack in the league. 

Ndumiso Mabena: The Celtic captain rose to the occasion when his team needed him most in a crunch clash at Chippa United last time out. Mabena notched up an important goal to end his goal drought and will now be aiming to finish the season strongly. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

Peter Shalulile: The Namibia international still harbours slim hopes of catching Bradley Grobler in the race for the league's golden boot award. Shalulile has been immense in his first season at Sundowns and was key to them winning a fourth title in a row. He has scored 11 goals and assisted a further six in 23 starts. 

Rivaldo Coetzee: Coetzee has been outstanding for Sundowns throughout the campaign. Positioned in front of the back four, Coetzee offers protection in defence and is able to use his vast passing range to ignite attacking moves. A superb reader of the game, he often dictates the tempo/pace at which the Brazilians play.