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Mbombela - Bloemfontein Celtic coach Clinton Larsen was pleased to mark his return to the club with a win, following their comfortable 2-0 victory over Mpumalanga Black Aces in their Premiership match on Wednesday.
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Frank Mhango scored a brace in the second half, handing Phunya Sele Sele all three points.
"The boys really put a good performance and created chances and scored two goals in the end," Larsen said.
"It was a disciplined performance throughout the match and the boys were really up for it.
"It is always difficult to play against Aces under coach Clive Barker, but we managed to pull through and I'm pleased with their display."
Before their match against Aces, Celtic had not won in four matches, having last registered a victory on November 23 when they edged Chippa United 1-0 at home.
They had lost three and drawn four, a results which saw former coach Ernst Middendorp being fired last Sunday following their goalless draw against Moroka Swallows at home.
Larsen took over on Monday and said he had not changed much in the team, but had brought self belief among the players.
"The team was playing well under Middendorp, it's just that they were not scoring goals. When I started on Monday, I sat down with them especially the attacking players.
"I told them they should not be afraid going into the box. I told them I need to seem them get to the box in numbers and increase our chances of scoring goals.
"It worked well against Aces as Frank used the other two chances we created to score the goals and I'm pleased with how things went."
Celtic will face Orlando Pirates on Saturday in their final match of the year at Orlando Stadium. Larsen said he expected a tough match from the Buccaneers, especially after drawing against Swallows on Wednesday.
"It's not going to be easy against Pirates because they have been dropping points recently and will want to end the year with a victory, but we will be ready for the match."
Larsen said he would sit down with the management on Monday after the Pirates game, to access areas where they would need to strengthen next month.
"Remember I was appointed on Sunday and on Monday I was travelling with the team to Nelspruit.
"But we will discuss everything with the management once we conclude our matches for the year."
