The Bloemfontein Celtic coach, Veselin Jelušic, has backed the young Bafana Bafana striker, Tshego Mabaso, as a key member of his squad heading into the Telkom Knockout final against Wits.
Mabaso scored his first goal for the senior side during their quarter-final win over Platinum Stars and was also the winning goal.
During the semi-final, Mabaso opened the scoring against Polokwane City and then proceeded to net the winner in the penalty shootout.
Jelušic told Courant that they have high expectations of the striker to take the club into the future.
“Mabaso is a young and very talented player and there is a high expectation from him to contribute a lot in our future games.”
Jelušic added that even the players that were in the camp last season have played their part in a reversal of the team’s fortunes.
“Yes, of course there are some changes, but I think even in the previous season Celtic had some very good players and even players that remained from last season. They have contributed a lot in the new season together with the new players that we have.”
The last time Celtic played in a final was in 2012 when they beat Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 to win the Telkom Knockout Cup.
Saturday’s final between Celtic and Wits at the Princess Magogo Stadium kicks off at 18:00. – MORGAN PIEK
