First Bucs, now Celtic target Chiefs

Cape Town - After defeating Orlando Pirates in the PSL, Bloemfontein Celtic will be hoping to do the same to Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8.

However, Chiefs will fancy their chances of securing a place in the final yet again when they host Celtic for the second leg of their semi-final.

The first leg on August 16 in Bloemfontein saw the home side claim the lead through Helder Pelembe, before Chiefs equalised in the second half through a cracking strike from Bernard Parker.

This away goal means that Steve Komphela’s side need only keep a clean sheet in this return game to secure a place in the final and keep alive their hopes of defending the title.

Celtic, though, will take confidence from having scored a first goal against Chiefs in cup competitions since 2005/06 [when they famously ousted the Soweto giants from the SAA Supa8 and went on to claim the trophy] and having broken a run of three successive 1-0 losses to the Glamour Boys in cup competitions.

The cup record between the teams is still very much in favour of Chiefs, who have claimed eight wins [compared to just one for Celtic] in 12 matches between the teams. In all competitions, the Amakhosi have 39 wins from 67 matches, with just 11 victories for Phunya Sele Sele.

Clinton Larsen’s Celtic will be looking for their first away win against Chiefs since that 2005/06 SAA Supa8 match, though a score draw of 2-2 or more will also be enough to turn the away goals rule in their favour and advance to the final.

Chiefs come into the game having been held to a 1-1 draw in their Absa Premiership match away to Polokwane City on Tuesday night, a disappointing result given that the Amakhosi claimed the lead and had chances to add to their advantage before being pegged back by Puleng Tlolane.

As for Celtic, they will hugely buoyed by a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates on Wednesdayfor their first victory of the season. Vuyani Ntanga scored late on to see Phunya Sele Sele claim the scalp of a Soweto giant – a second such feat this weekend will see the Bloemfontein side into the final.

The teams will meet for the return match of their last-four tie at FNB Stadium on Saturday, August 29.

Kick-off at 20:15.