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Bloemfontein - Bloemfontein Celtic coach Clinton Larsen still fancies his team's chances of finishing fourth on the Premiership log to secure a home draw in next year's last-eight competition.
Lying fifth, Phunya Sele Sele played to 2-2 draw with Free State Stars in their derby in Bloemfontein on Saturday after Celtic twice allowed Steve Komphela's Ea Lla Koto to come from behind.
''A draw for us meant we have a lot to fight for in our last game against Moroka Swallows," Larsen said."We are going to try and impose ourselves and hopefully get a good result to finish in fourth position. Finishing in the top five is certainly our target.
"It will be a bonus for us to finish in fourth position and guarantee us a home draw in the MTN 8 Cup, which is something we want."
The Celtic mentor expressed disappointment with his strikers' inability to convert chances.
''We knew we came up against a highly tactical team. They are always organised and credit to them for putting on a good show to force us to share the points, Larsen said.
"To make matters worse, our defence also went to sleep."
Komphela was delighted with his side's performance and highlighted the importance of his team gaining maximum points from
their last match of the season - against relegation-bound Black Leopards.
''Celtic were highly opportunistic in the first half and they dominated the game. They were very effective and we could not deal with them," Komphela said.
"The first half belonged to Joel Mogorosi who made us pay a hell of price scoring a brace due to schoolboy errors in our defence.
"Overall, I'm very happy with a point because not many teams leave Bloemfontein with three points."
Komphela hoped his side would beat Leopards and finish in the top half.
"If we are unable to do so, we only have ourselves to blame.
"Life goes on, we just have to accept it and move on.''
The Stars coach said many factors let to their decline during the season.
''I would not solely blame our defence but also our strike force for where we are with an outside chance to finish in top half," Komphela said.
"We are really goal shy. We are still dependent on two strikers. There were games which I believe we should have consolidated our position but we don't have natural strikers capable to convert chances."
