Timmy T Maranda
Bloemfontein Celtic starts their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary first round against the Democratic Republic of Congo team AS Maniema Union on Sunday afternoon in Kindu.
The team has landed safely in Kundu, Phunywa Sele Sele confirmed.
‘Siwelele’, as the Bloemfontein’s Premier League soccer club is affectionately known, qualified for the CAF confederation Cup by reaching the Nedbank Cup final, which they subsequently lost to Mamelodi Sundowns.
However, because Sundowns had already qualified for the Champions League, Celtic took the available CAF Confederation spot together with Orlando Pirates.
Phunya Sele Sele registered their first victory of the season against Black Leopards on Wednesday.
Maniema Union is fresh from a 2-0 victory over Bazano.
Celtic’s depth will be tested as the team have an MTN 8 final scheduled for 12 December. Phunya Sele Sele will be juggling three competitions at the same time.
The return leg is billed for Dr Molemela stadium on the weekend of 4-6 December.
Celtic CEO Khumbulani Konco said: “It’s a big honour to play our first CAF match.
“It’s historic. For the first time in 50 years, we have qualified to play our first intercontinental match.”
Kickoff 15h00 (SA time).
