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No excuses for Celtic as they look to avoid drop

Cape Town - Bloemfontein Celtic spokesperson Sello Nduna said the team has no excuse to not retain their premiership status when they face Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium in their final league fixture on Saturday.

Celtic are two points above the relegation zone, as two teams below them - Free State Stars and Chippa United - play each other in a survival shoot-out.

Nduna though said that the Bloemfontein-based side will be aiming to claim all three points to guarentee their safety.

“We don’t have an excuse not to do well tomorrow. Besides (Lantshene) Phalane who is suspended because of bookings, we have everybody available for selection.  It’s a big day for us. Our lives depend on this game and we will be going for three points although we understand that one point should be enough to escape,” said Nduna.

He added that results in the other fixtures will be of non concern to Celtic with their sole focus being on claiming a positive result.

“We are not going to think about what happens in other games. This has been a very interesting season for most people but a very difficult one for us. But we’re not going to dwell on the past now. We know what we need to do tomorrow and we will do just that,”. 

Maritzburg also have a cause to fight for as they are currently lying seventh on the PSL table with three teams threatening their top-eight spot.

Platinum Stars, Golden Arrows and Ajax Cape Town all have a chance to overtake the Team of Choice and claim a spot in the top eight - that will contest in the knock-out season-opener, MTN8 Cup. 

“The game will be difficult for both these teams. And players tend to make unnecessary mistakes when they are under pressure but we have prepared well and are ready for the challenge,” Nduna concluded. 

Siwelele will be aiming to undo the harm that Maritzburg inflicted upon them in their opening match of the season where they suffered a 1-0 defeat at home.

Kick off is at 15:00.

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