Log leaders Orlando Pirates are planning to show Bloemfontein Celtic the stars during their Castle Premiership match at Ellis Park on Wednesday night.
According to Pirates striker Gift Leremi, the youthful Free State side should brace themselves for one of their worst defeats since the start of the season.
”We mean business this season; our main aim is to remain at the top of the table in order to reclaim the Premiership title,” said Leremi, the joint top goal scorer with four goals.
Zambian international striker Collins Mbesuma of Kaizer Chiefs, who has pledged to win the top goal-scorer award by scoring no less than 40 goals this season, is the other joint top goal scorer.
Celtic have already arrived in Gauteng to wrap up their preparations for the big match against Pirates, which was postponed last Wednesday because of the Bafana Bafana-Uganda game in Kampala.
Pirates had four players — Benedict Vilakazi, Edward Malinga and Abednigo Netshiozwi — selected for the crucial 2006 World Cup qualifier, won 1-0 by Bafana Bafana on Sunday.
Celtic public-relations officer Sello Nduna said Masokolara are looking forward to causing a major upset becoming the first to beat Pirates in a Premiership match since the start of the season.
The Free State side are still reeling after suffering a 2-1 defeat by a depleted Chiefs during the Macufe Cup final at Vodacom Park Stadium in Bloemfontein last Sunday.
Nduna said they are delighted that their head coach, Aiki Ayiomamitis, will be on the bench for the first time this season after receiving his work permit two weeks ago.
He also confirmed that Celtic will be without former Bafana Bafana striker Fees Moloi. The well-travelled Moloi has just removed a plaster cast after breaking his right hand.
Elsewhere, Jomo Cosmos will be playing against Lamontville Golden at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Wednesday, where they hope to register their first win of the season.
Cosmos, coached and owned by former Bafana Bafana coach Jomo Sono, are lying at the bottom of the log. They were defeated 2-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns during their last match.
Ezenkosi arrived in Durban on Tuesday minus two key players — winger Lovers Mohlala and Mozambican international striker Helton Cunha — who are both nursing injuries.
In another Premiership match taking place on Wednesday, Ajax Cape Town host neighbours Santos in a Cape Town derby taking place at Newlands Stadium.
Santos are still without a coach following the dismissal of Boebie Solomons last Wednesday. Former Santos and Supersport United striker David Notoane has since been appointed caretaker coach. — Sapa