Muhsin Ertugral has made it clear to his team that they stand on the brink of a cup final and that there is no coming back from this point should they slip up against Bloemfontein Celtic in Mmabatho on Saturday Afternoon in the Telkom Knock Out Cup semifinal. Ertugral has been here before that is in a cup semi final with Chiefs on four previous occasions and on each one he has been able to smile afterwards as he lead Chiefs to cup glory in the past. The Amakhosi coach has used the huge prize purse on offer to motivate his team for Saturday’s crucial cup game, and has also gone for experience in his team selection for the Celtic encounter fielding a number of his veteran players.

Midfield Shuffle

Ertugral has opted to play Shaun Bartlett as a lone striker in attack and has relegated Mabhudi Khenyeza to the substitutes bench for Saturday’s match, Bartlett will be aided on the wings by David Obua on the left and Arthur Zwane on the right. Obua and fellow substitute from Wednesday evenings loss to Swallows Thabo Mooki, the pair came on to good effect against the Birds and helped spark a mini Chiefs revival, both will start against Celtic for Mooki it is the chance to get into another cup final. While Obua replaces Ditheko Mototo on the left side of Midfield, Mooki will take the place of Mabhudi Khenyeza as Ertugral has opted to play Bartlett alone up front Tsiki Tsiki as Mooki is other wise known will need to stabilize the midfield. Another of the experienced players who gets the chance to start on Saturday is Gerald Sibeko, who takes Mandla Masango’s place in a central attacking midfield position as well as been given the job of play maker.

Nzama in

The Chiefs coach said after Wednesday evening’s game that he was not particularly happy with his team’s performance in defence and as a result has swapped Cyril Nzama and Moketi Tsotetsi around, Nzama comes back into the starting eleven after missing the Swallows game and Tsotetsi takes his place on the substitute’s bench. Sandile Zuke who was amongst the substitutes during Wednesday evenings loss is left out of Saturday’s game, as Kaizer Motaung Junior returns to the team after missing Wednesday’s match.

Line Up:

Kaizer Chiefs (4-3-2-1):

32. Itumeleng Khune, 2. Jimmy Tau, 3. Onismor Bhasera,

6. Fabian McCarthy, 8. Tinashe Nengomasha, 13. David Obua, 12. Thabo Mooki,

18. Arthur Zwane, 27. Gerald Sibeko, 17. Shaun Bartlett.

Substitutes: 1. Markus Bocsker, 7. Kaizer Motaung Junior, 26. Thuso Phala,

22. Mandla Masango, 5. Mabhudi Khenyeza, 29. Moketi Tsotetsi, 33. Ditheko Mototo.

Coach: Mushin Ertugral


Assistant Coach: Fani Madida


Goalkeeper Coach: Rainer Dinkelacker

Bloemfontein Celtic (4-4-2): 1. Shoaib Walters, 2. Thabo Nthethe, 32. Didier Mbendje,

6. Timothy Batabaire, 28. Gary Goldstone, 18. John Maduka, 25. Lebogang Mothibantwa, 10. Kleinbooi Taaibos, 11. Moses Spandeel, 24. Lebohang Kukame,

7. Siphesihle Ngobese.

Substitutes: 31. Posnett Omony, 17. Patrick Malokase, 12. James Madidilani,

27. Carlo Scott, 19. Petrus Mahlatsi, 20. Mark Amofah, 23. Ntokozo Sikhakhane.

Coach: Khabo Zondo


Assistant Coach: David Modise

Match Officials:

Referee: Abdul Ebrahim


Assistant 1: Godfrey Selopetsa


Assistant 2: Peter Rabophara


4th Official: Mr. Adeel Carelse