"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.
