Bloemfontein Celtic will be hoping to add to their silverware garnered this season when they line-up for the Chailanse Cup in Katlehong this weekend, hot on the heels of their Free State International Cup victory.
Celtic overcame the challenge of AG Faarhus of Denmark 3-1 in the first game over the weekend in Bloemfontein and then defeated Pirates 2-1 in the final.
They now face Dynamos, PJ Stars and Cosmos for the Gauteng department of sports and recreation’s new trophy, with the winning team picking up a tidy R250 000.
The Free State International Cup was a great success for Celtic, not only by winning the trophy but also because this was the first event since 1991 where an international team came to Bloemfontein.
Fifteen years ago, Brazil’s Flamengo was in Bloemfontein and defeated Celtic 4-0, and now club MD Jimmy Augousti wants to make this an annual event, hosting different teams each year.
”This event could never have been possible without the Motheo district municipality, who forked out extensively to bring international soccer back to Bloemfontein,” said Augousti.
Celtic will look to this weekend’s event as not only a cash-raising and marketing project but also to gain practise and confidence ahead of the resumption of the Premier Soccer League next weekend.
Celtic will play host to Black Leopards at the Seisa Ramabodou Stadium on Saturday February 17 at 3.45pm. — Sapa