Mamelodi Sundowns left back Lyle Lakay is delight to see his former club Bloemfontein Celtic flourish under new coach Steve Komphela, despite the clubs pre-season turmoil, writes DYLAN APPOLIS. 

Phunya Sele Sele has become a force to reckon with this season since the appointment of the former Kaizer Chiefs coach during the off-season.

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Under the new coach, Siwelele had gone on an unbeaten run in the Absa Premiership with three consecutive victories over Chippa United, Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates, while scoring five goals with none conceded.

However, uncertainty still reigns at the club with reports suggesting that Phunya Sele Sele await the Premier Soccer League’s approval on the sale of the club to businesswoman Sinki Leshabane and Moeketsi Mosola.

Nonetheless, in spite of unpaid salaries and strikes, the players have not let the club’s internal issues disrupt their 2018-19 campaign.

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Speaking to TFGSoccerClub about Celtic’s form under new coach Komphela so far this season, Lakay believes his former employers have been exceptional thus far, despite the club’s off-field issues during pre-season.

‘To be honest I’m happy for them if you consider what the players and whole team went through just before the season started, not getting paid and all those things.

‘The players didn’t allow that to affect them, I still have lots of friends at the club so yeah, I’m really happy for them and wish them well.’

The 27-year-old is no stranger to Siwelele, having spent five years at the club where he scored a total of seven goals and assisted a further 13 from 107 appearances in all competitions.

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Bloemfontein Celtic will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run when they take on Komphela’s former team Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday with kick-off set for 7:30pm.

Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix