Celtic look to kill Ajax’s joy
Bloemfontein Celtic will be looking to put a dent in Ajax Cape Town’s new and improved mood when they welcome them to the Free State Stadium on Sunday afternoon for an Absa Premiership match, kick-off at 15h00.
The Phunya Sele Sele have had a rough start to their PSL season, with only three points from their first three games, and goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb believes that his squad needs more time to gel after the vast amount of new and young faces who arrived at the club.
“We brought in a lot of young players this year and we have to play together more to know each other better,” he says.
“It is still early days for us but they are doing very well. They are training hard and they will help us this season.”
Clinton Larsen’s side will be coming up against a confident Ajax Cape Town, who are off the back of a 4-1 drubbing of Platinum Stars.
“Ajax is always a good team and they are always difficult to face. The last game [against Platinum Stars] they played a great game. They didn’t start off the year well with a draw and a loss, but now they have recovered well,” said the Celtic shot-stopper.
Despite their new form, Tignyemb still believes it will be an equally difficult game for the Urban Warriors as they will be forced to attack.
“Tactically they are difficult to face, they train well and it will be a difficult game but it won’t be easy for them.
“It will be our home game and when they are away they have to attack. They are a good team and I don’t see them sitting back and defending. I think it will be an open and attacking game, which will be good for us,” added Tignyemb.
Each coach will have the full squad available to them, barring injuries, and despite Larsen being put under immense pressure to get the results, Ajax goalkeeper Sean Roberts believes that Celtic will not be easy to beat at home.
“Bloemfontein Celtic away for any team is always tricky,” reveals Roberts. “They have a great following and with those sorts of fans it’s almost like having an extra player behind them.
“I think [Clinton] Larsen is a great coach and I expect, them as always, to come out from the starting blocks flying.”
The 28-year-old returned to play in the 3-1 loss to Moroka Swallows, and featured in the following game where he helped the squad grab the three points over Cavin Johnson’s side.
“It is always great to be playing again and especially when we win. We showed great spirit in the Platinum Stars game and hopefully it’s the start of many more victories.” He adds.
“The mood in the camp is great. We are really training hard and you can see the belief is starting to become very obvious once again.”
