Bloemfontein Celtic coach Serame Letsoaka believes his counterpart Ernst Middendorp implemented smart tactics in their Absa Premiership opener at the Dr Molemela Stadium.

Phunya Sele Sele suffered their first defeat of the season following their 1-0 defeat on Wednesday after midfielder Kurt Lentjies scored the only goal of the match in the 52nd minute.

Letsoaka went on to praise his counterpart Middendorp for his strategy he deployed against Celtic and he insists that Celtic will only improve their performance from here.

‘Tactically they thought very well and Lentjies was checking whenever we attacked. He was always staying behind the most,’ Letsoaka said.

‘When we conceded the goal everybody wanted to go forward, everybody is trying to score the goal. I’m sure we can build from here from this performance.’

The Siwelele mentor indicated that it’s only the first match and he insists that both teams played ‘a closed book’.

‘Also, this is just the first game and it must be indicated that when you play the first game of the season you play a closed book. You don’t know your opponent and you don’t know the players who you will be playing against,’ he added.

Bloemfontein Celtic will now face Free State Stars at Goble Park Stadium in the Absa Premiership on September 9.

Kick-off has been set for 19:00.