Kaizer Chiefs took to the field at the ABSA Stadium on Saturday evening for their pre match warm up, sporting a jersey especially designed to commemorate the clubs endorsement of a new pedestrian safety campaign. Which the team launched in conjunction with the Kwa-Zulu Natal department of transport on Friday, while Chiefs have been winning friends off the field in Durban. They come into Saturday evening’s game on the back of a 1-2 loss a week ago at the hands of Amazulu; it was that defeat that saw the end of Ernst Middendorp as Chiefs coach.

Kosta Papic who replaced Ernst Middendorp at the start of the week, has his first assignment at the helm of Chiefs as The Amakhosi play host to Bloemfontein Celtic, in Durban. Papic will be looking for a winning start to his tenure as Chiefs coach, and having been given seven matches to prove his credentials, the Serbian will be aiming to win take the maximum number of points on offer from Chiefs remaining games.

A new coach and a new beginning for The Amakhosi under Papic, has seen the coach make a number of changes from last weeks defeat to Amazulu, out goes defender Fabian McCarthy. McCarthy collected his third yellow card of the season during the defeat to Amazulu and will have to sit out Saturday evenings game, with Ditheko Mototo also missing due to injury Chiefs are thread bare at the back, As a result David Obua has been drafted in and makes his first starting appearance for Chiefs since the 14th January, when he was substituted at half time during Chiefs 2-0 win over Benoni Premier United.

The gap left in the Chiefs starting eleven by Mototo will be filled by Arthur Zwane against Celtic, Zwane who entered the field as a second half substitute against Amazulu launched a number of attacks with his forays down the right.

There are two changes from the Amazulu game which completes a quartet of changes from Kosta Papic, midfielder Scara Ngobese who recently extended his stay at Chiefs. By putting pen to paper on a three year extension to his current contract, comes in for Derrick Spencer and will be looking to dazzle Celtic and keep the crowd on the edge of their seats. In Chiefs last tow visits to the ABSA Stadium this season, when they played in the SAA Supa8 Semi- Finals and Finals Ngobese won the man of the match accolades.

Papic will be looking for more of the same from the talented midfielder, during Saturday’s dual with Celtic. Chiefs final change has last weeks goal scorer for The Amakhosi Serge Djiehoua starting from the bench on Saturday, Kaizer Motaung Junior takes the place of the Ivorian and will start with Shaun Bartlett in attack.

With a large crowd already in the ABSA Stadium and creating an electric atmosphere, the Chiefs fans have set the stage for new coach Kosta Papic, and are expecting him and his team to come to the party with a win against Celtic.

Line Up’s:

Kaizer Chiefs: 1. R. Fernandez, 2. J. Tau, 4. C. Nzama, 21. P. Mayo, 13. D. Obua,

11. E. Ngobese, 18. A. Zwane, 10. S. Nkosi, 17. S. Bartlett, 7. K. Motaung Jnr

Substitutes: 16. R. Wuest, 28. D. Spencer, 44. S. Mkhonza, 20. L. Agyemang,

9. S. Djiehoua, 27. G. Sibeko, 25. G. Schalkwyk

Bloemfontein Celtic: 30. S. Walters, 12. J. Madidilane, 2. T. Nthethe, 5. L. Mphongoa, 28. G. Goldstone, 16. S. Chalwe, 18. J. Maduka, 23. N. Sikhakhane, 10. K. Taaibos,

19. P. Mahlatsi, 9. S. Mmethi

Substitutes: 31. P. Omony, 21. C. Mubiala, 15. T. Liau, 26. J. Solomon, 14. R. Noble,

4. A. Nteo, 20. B. Tipa

Officials:

Referee: Mahlomola Jonas Nhlapho


Assistant 1: Siphiwe Jibiliza


Assistant 2: Geronimo Piedt


4th Official: Zolile Mthetho


Match Commissioner: Robert Pillay