Beleaguered Celtic coach Letsoaka clings on to his job amid mounting speculation

12 October 2016 - 14:09 By Mark Gleeson

Bloemfontein Celtic are refusing to panic as poor results continue to beset their coach Serame Letsoaka. Club officials insist the coach is not under threat as he takes his side to a tough away game at Platinum Stars at the weekend.A coaching reshuffle last week hinted at growing concern within the club as Celtic sit bottom of the Premier Soccer League standings‚ even though they have played just three games in the new campaign.Serame Letsoaka’s assistants were demoted and a new one appointed in an apparent sign of unhappiness.But the club’s chief executive officer Khumbulanki Kocno said emphatically on Wednesday: “We are not panicking”.He dismissed talk of the impending chop for Letsoaka. The coach dramatically altered Celtic’s style of play when he arrived in December‚ looking for pace and counter attacks to effect goals and within a month had got rid of a several players already in the January transfer.But the results did not come‚ with Letsoaka winning just once in his first 12 matches in charge before a shock away success at champions-elect Mamelodi Sundowns in mid-March was followed by seven more unbeaten matches.More players departed at the end of the season‚ including Thapelo Morena‚ with Letsoaka replacing them with more speed as he kept only those he felt would fit into his system.But still the results have not come.Woes continue for winless Celtic after defeat to ArrowsLamontville Golden Arrows claimed their second Absa Premiership win in the space of four days when they came from behind to beat Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 at the Dr. Molemela Stadium on Sunday. This season Celtic have a single point and overall Letsoaka’s tally is four wins in 23 matches in both league and cup competition since being poached from Lamontville Golden Arrows.Letsoaka’s new assistant is Morena Ramoreboli‚ who will be on the bench for the first time on Saturday after being moved up from his role as the club’s Head of Development and coach of Celtic’s MultiChoice Diski Challenge team.Celtic have moved Letsoaka’s two previous assistants‚ Duncan Lechesa and Lehlohonolo Seema‚ to be co-coaches of the reserve team. - TMG Digital..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.