City out to redeem themselves against Celtic

Cape Town - Losing MTN8 finalists Cape Town City will be out to redeem themselves when they welcome Bloemfontein Celtic to Athlone Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Midfield hard-man Mpho Matsi picked up his fourth booking of the season in the penalty shootout defeat to SuperSport United in Durban on Saturday.

City coach Benni McCarthy may also elect to give some of those who suffered defeat in KwaZulu-Natal a rest, especially after the heavy underfoot conditions saw several players, including goal-scorer Sibusiso Khumalo, suffering hamstring and various other complaints.

McCarthy chalked off Saturday's defeat in what was his first managerial final, as a 'learning experience'.

"I think the best way of learning and growing as coaches is when you do taste defeat as much as you don't like to admit it," he said.

The Citizens certainly still have plenty to play for in the league, occupying third spot in the standings after six matches.

"When you lose I think it's how well you pick yourself up and how well you can get your players to switch on now and just push forward. That's going to be a challenge," McCarthy added.

Celtic, meanwhile, have taken four points from their last two outings to move up the table to seventh, just three points behind City. 

And having beaten defending champions Bidvest Wits in their last game, Phunya Sele Sele, who have the likes of Roggert Nyundu and Ndumiso Mabena in good scoring form, may well fancy their chances at taking all three points from a City side who may still be suffering from a bit of post-final hangover.

Kick off is at 19:30.