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IT HAS not quite gone according to plan for Serame Letsoaka at Bloemfontein Celtic, but he has a good feeling that his first victory as coach of the club will come against his old friend Steve Komphela of Kaizer Chiefs.
Celtic have not won a league match since September 27, a lean spell chairman Max Tshabalala will be unhappy about, having set the target of a top-three finish.
A change in coach, as Letsoaka came in for Clinton Larsen, was meant to bring about a change in fortunes, but Letsoaka is still waiting for his first win following a defeat and a draw against Chippa United and Ajax Cape Town.
The coach is pretty sure Celtic’s barren run will come to an end on Sunday, when they host an Amakhosi side still finding their feet under Komphela. "I see that win coming against Chiefs. We are hoping they will not be able to match us because of the heat in Free State," Letsoaka said.
"We will use speed to unsettle them. I know Steve has got some injuries in his team, but we cannot take them lightly. We will show them the respect they deserve, but we need that first win to get the boost in confidence. We will see if they can stand the heat here."
It is Letsoaka’s first match at home and he is keen to make a mark in front of the Siwelele faithful. To impress the fans, however, Letsoaka’s men have to improve in defence, where they have conceded four goals in his two matches in charge.
Seventh-placed Celtic last kept a clean sheet in October, when they played to a goalless draw with log leaders Wits.
Fourth-placed Chiefs could give new signing William Twala his debut on Sunday. The winger has joined from Chippa on a two-year deal and the club is hoping he can help create more opportunities for strikers and even chip in with a few goals.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler wants his team to adopt a winning habit when they play Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday. A second consecutive win after beating University of Pretoria 2-0 on Wednesday could see Bucs progress to the top eight and also be a turning point as they claw their way out of the bottom half of the table.
Tinkler knows that his players will play with more freedom and confidence the more their league position improves.
"The win was more about getting the three points than the performance," Tinkler said after the Tuks victory. "Because the three points builds the morale. You could see there was nervousness from the players, that worry that we might concede."
Log-leaders Wits will be hoping new striker James Keene’s impressive start last week, when he scored and laid on a goal, continues on Friday night against Mpumalanga Black Aces at Bidvest Stadium.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Celtic coach feels Chiefs are ripe for taking
IT HAS not quite gone according to plan for Serame Letsoaka at Bloemfontein Celtic, but he has a good feeling that his first victory as coach of the club will come against his old friend Steve Komphela of Kaizer Chiefs.
Celtic have not won a league match since September 27, a lean spell chairman Max Tshabalala will be unhappy about, having set the target of a top-three finish.
A change in coach, as Letsoaka came in for Clinton Larsen, was meant to bring about a change in fortunes, but Letsoaka is still waiting for his first win following a defeat and a draw against Chippa United and Ajax Cape Town.
The coach is pretty sure Celtic’s barren run will come to an end on Sunday, when they host an Amakhosi side still finding their feet under Komphela. "I see that win coming against Chiefs. We are hoping they will not be able to match us because of the heat in Free State," Letsoaka said.
"We will use speed to unsettle them. I know Steve has got some injuries in his team, but we cannot take them lightly. We will show them the respect they deserve, but we need that first win to get the boost in confidence. We will see if they can stand the heat here."
It is Letsoaka’s first match at home and he is keen to make a mark in front of the Siwelele faithful. To impress the fans, however, Letsoaka’s men have to improve in defence, where they have conceded four goals in his two matches in charge.
Seventh-placed Celtic last kept a clean sheet in October, when they played to a goalless draw with log leaders Wits.
Fourth-placed Chiefs could give new signing William Twala his debut on Sunday. The winger has joined from Chippa on a two-year deal and the club is hoping he can help create more opportunities for strikers and even chip in with a few goals.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler wants his team to adopt a winning habit when they play Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday. A second consecutive win after beating University of Pretoria 2-0 on Wednesday could see Bucs progress to the top eight and also be a turning point as they claw their way out of the bottom half of the table.
Tinkler knows that his players will play with more freedom and confidence the more their league position improves.
"The win was more about getting the three points than the performance," Tinkler said after the Tuks victory. "Because the three points builds the morale. You could see there was nervousness from the players, that worry that we might concede."
Log-leaders Wits will be hoping new striker James Keene’s impressive start last week, when he scored and laid on a goal, continues on Friday night against Mpumalanga Black Aces at Bidvest Stadium.
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