Celtic confirm Gaborone duel

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Friday January 25, 2008 00:00

'We are finalising everything and we will arrive in Botswana on Saturday for the game. We have already sent our representatives there. I can assure you that we are taking this game seriously as we are preparing for the start of the second round (of the South Africa Premier League),' said Celtic manager Khumbulani Konco. He added that staff from their marketing department will be at the Main Mall in Gaborone today to sell membership cards and newly-released CDs. Assistant coach David Modise arrived in the country yesterday to check on the players they might be interested in. Konco warned Rollers not to expect an easy game at the National Stadium on Sunday. He said Celtic, popularly known as Siwelele will produce a performance that Botswana supporters will remember for a long time.

'We will play beautiful football and I urge the supporters to come in large numbers to watch the game,' he said. Celtic coach Khabo Zondo is expected to use the game to try some of the new players he recruited during the current transfer window. Though three of Celtic's key players Timothy Batabaire, Petrus Mahlatsi and goalkeeper Shaiub Walters are carrying injuries and would not be travelling with the team, Konco said they have enough cover. Promising young defender, Tumelo Nhlapo will miss the trip as he is with Bafana Bafana in West Africa for the African Cup of Nations. Despite the absence of key players, Celtic have enough arsenal to deal with Mapalastina. Some of the stars expected in Gaborone are captain John Maduka, Moses Spandeel, Patrick Malokase and Lebogang Mothibantwa.

Rollers' goalkeeper Lesego Moeng said that they have been working hard at training in preparation for one of their biggest matches of the season. 'The team is responding well to the tactics of our new coach (Dickson Ngwenya) and we are prepared to compete against Celtic. Anything is possible in football as long as we work as a unit on the day,' he told Mmegi Sport. As part of preparations for the clash, Rollers played to a 1-1 draw with Naughty Boys on Saturday and beat Killer Giants 3-2 in Ramotswa on Sunday. Moeng pleaded with their supporters to attend the Celtic game in large numbers.

'We will try all the best not to disappoint them,' he said. Apart from goalkeeper Barolong Lemmenyane and speedy winger Sekhana Koko who have been linked to BDF XI and Mochudi Centre Chiefs respectively, all Rollers' players are available. It is up to the likes of Kaone Molefe, Moeng, Bernard Semakwezi, Boniface Makolo and Moemedi 'Jomo' Moatlhaping to ensure that Rollers' supporters go home happy.

Rollers have not been doing well in the Mascom Premier League and are currently lying ninth in the log with 17 points from 15 games. By Rollers' standards, this is a disastrous performance and supporters are looking up to their new Zambian coach to bring back the glory days.

Though this weekend's clash will be a friendly, Rollers' die-hards will use it to judge their tactician and what to expect in the second round. Tickets are selling for P50 for the grand stands and P25 elsewhere. The game kicks off at 4pm.