Mamelodi Sundowns right back Thapelo Morena believes his side are in for a fight against Bloemfontein Celtic, despite their recent financial challenges.

The two sides are set to square off in the Absa Premiership at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Wednesday evening with Sundowns sitting in seventh place with nine points, while Celtic currently occupy fourth place on 13 points.

Morena says his side have done their homework on the in-form Celtic side, but he still expects it to be a difficult game as both sides want to collect maximum points on the day.

‘We know how they are going to come,’ Morena told his club’s official website.

‘We have been doing well at training due to knowing their style of play and how they are going to approach the game. It’s going to be a difficult game for us because we need the three points.

‘Those three points will boost us in the league. They have been going through some challenges that we have been reading about in newspapers, but I don’t think that they will take that to the game. They are going to come at us motivated that they are playing Sundowns and will want to give it their best.’

The former Celtic defender will return to his old stomping ground on Wednesday high on confidence after being called up to the Bafana Bafana squad for their double-header against Seychelles in the African Cup of Nations qualifier later this month.

‘Firstly, I would like to say thank you to the coaches at Mamelodi Sundowns. Secondly, I would like to say thank you to coach Stuart Baxter for giving me this opportunity,’ he added.

‘Coach Pitso Moaimane and the technical team at Sundowns put a lot of emphasis on me to do my best. I think that really worked out. I am happy and humbled to be a part of Bafana Bafana.

‘It has been a while since I was a part of the national team. From now on I will work on staying consistently in the national team. I will do my level best when I am given an opportunity.’

Mamelodi Sundowns against Bloemfontein Celtic kicks off at 7:30pm.

Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns website