BLOEMFONTEIN – Bloemfontein Celtic will be hoping to bag their maiden 2017 win when they host Chippa United in their Absa Premiership clash at the Dr Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon.
Siwelele are under pressure to find a win as quickly as possible in order to try to qualify for a top eight spot They opened their second round campaign against Mamelodi Sundowns and the hosts lost 1-0 at home before losing 2-1 to Golden Arrows away last weekend.
Coach Lehlohonolo Seema wants more from his charges as he lambasted their commitment after their loss to Abafana Bes'thende.
However, facing Chippa could allow them to win at home as they drew 0-0 away in Port Elizabeth in the opening leg. They sit at number 13 on the log table and a win could boost their hopes of moving closer to mid-table, but beating the Chilli Boys will require character. "We did not have a good start after losing our first two matches, but I am optimistic that we will achieve our goals," said Seema.
"I think I will continue with my job until the end of the season and we will take everything from there. "I am positive that the club will do well in the next matches. For now, our target is to stave off relegation. From there we will try to push for a top-eight finish."
Looking at Dan Malesela's men, Chippa are fresh from a win and a draw in 2017. The Port Elizabeth-based side started the new year on a high, beating the struggling Baroka FC as well as sharing the spoils with Pitso Mosimane's Brazilians this past Tuesday.
Heading to the City of Roses, Chippa are out to bag a win and ensure they consolidate their top-eight position. They sit at No 8 with 20 points from 16 matches so far. Converting their chances remains Malesela's headache and this will push them to rectify their errors in Bloemfontein and claim four points from their hosts in the league this season.
"The players are there, we replace every time. We face matches with what we have, we will just make adjustments," said Malesela. "I think Thami (Thamsanqa Sangweni) is out for the next game yeah. So we will make adjustments for the Bloemfontein one. "It is going to be difficult because we have to drive to Bloem and the field was very heavy in midweek against Sundowns.
"So we have got to be very cautious in preparing for the match."