Mtshali hailed Celtic tactics

Bloemfontein - Bloemfontein Celtic goalkeeper Ayanda Mtshali praised his team-mates for standing their ground in an attempt to hinder Polokwane City from dominating possession in their goalless stalemate at the weekend.

The struggling Phunya Sele Sele shared the spoils with Rise and Shine in an Absa premiership clash at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Sunday.

The 32-year-old reveals that caretaker coaches, Lehlohonolo Seema and John Maduka, instructed them to prevent City from playing their normal passing game and it benefited them as they went on to earn a much needed point.

"I think it was a good game overall, we knew they like to play much in the middle," said Mtshali.

"They are a team that like to keep possessions but we did well to match them from making those killer combinations work.

"Our coach instructed us to keep our patience, yes things are not going well for us at the moment but we did well not to concede."

The former Free State Stars goal minder started his second consecutive game on the weekend in place of Patrick Tignyemb and he revealed that the interim coaches kept their faith in him following his hard work.

"I think I did well against Cape Town City before the international break," Mtshali said.

"During the two week break, the coach told me to keep pushing, focusing and working hard then he’ll keep me playing between the sticks.

"It really boosted my confidence and I’m very grateful."

Celtic will be looking to register their secondwin of the season when they switch face Baroka FC at home on Wednesday.

Kick off is at 19:30.