Dikwena face rejuvenated Celtic

Platinum Stars will be looking to bounce back to winning ways in the Absa Premiership when they welcome Bloemfontein Celtic at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Wednesday.

Cavin Johnson

Dikwena played to a 1-1 draw with Free State Stars away in their previous league game. Ndumiso Mabena netted for the visitors.

Before taking on Stars, Dikwena had edged out Orlando Pirates 2-1 at home ending their three match winless streak in the league.

The victory over Pirates was also Stars' last home victory. Prior to the clash with Bucs, they had suffered a 2-0 defeat to SuperSport United at home.

In-form striker Ndumiso Mabena survived a car crash ahead of the clash with Celtic. The Stars forward is expected to play on Wednesday.

Stars are placed third on the Absa Premiership standings with 47 points from 28 games. They are two points above fourth-placed Kaizer Chiefs

Dikwena's defender-cum-midfielder Tintswalo Tshabalala deemed their encounter against Celtic a must win game for his side.

“These last two games are a must win. We have to do well so that we can play in Africa. Most of the guys wish to play in CAF," Tshabalala said.

"We are ready. We had a target at the beginning of the season. Our target was to be in the top five so we have done well,” he added

Meanwhile, Celtic will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten run in the league when they lock horns with Stars on Wednesday night.

Phunya Sele Sele played to a goalless stalemate with Kaizer Chiefs away in their previous league encounter at the FNB Stadium.

The draw extended Celtic's unbeaten run in the league to six matches. They have won two and drawn four during their current streak.

The Free State side beat Mamelodi Sundowns in their last victory on the road in the league. Phunya Sele Sele thrashed the Brazilians 3-1 at home.

Alfred Ndengane is set to miss the clash against Stars on Wednesday. The strong defender will be serving his suspension.

Celtic are placed twelfth on the Absa Premiership standings with 32 points from 28 games. They are six points behind eighth-placed SuperSport United.

Celtic head coach Serame Letsoaka explained that they aim to finish the current season on a good note by doing well in their remaining games .

“We’re left with two games, and we will see what we can get in those

games. We aren’t competing for anything," Letsoaka said.

"We just want to wrap up the

season and ensure that we become a better team in the next campaign,” he added.

When Stars and Celtic met in the first round league game, the two sides played to a 1-1 stalemate on the 23rd of August 2015.

Lyle Lakay opened the scoring for Phunya Sele Sele in the first-half, but Sibusiso Msomi equalised four minutes after the restart.