Bloemfontein Celtic and Santos are doing well and their coaches, management and players alike deserve credit. The two teams - sitting on position five and six on the Absa premiership log table - are just a few points away from the top, behind heavyweights like Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Ajax Cape Town. Things are looking good for them.
The good thing about Celtic and Santos exploits this season is that they are doing well without any "big names" in their teams. The two teams are full of hardworking and young players who are proving that success in football doesn't depend on how many "stars"you have in your team. They work for each other and they have shown no respect for the big boys, matching them pound for pound.
What the two coaches have done in their teams is a good advert for local coaches and it should act as a wake up call to club bosses, they have to show some faith in local coaches. Given time and support, local coaches can do wonders. Look at what the likes of Gavin Hunt and Gordon Igesund have achieved.
There is still a long way to go before the finish line and it's hard to predict what is going to happen in the next few matches. But Siwelele and The peoples team have definitely put themselves firmly in the title race and anything is possible. They just need to guard against complacency and the unnecessary dropping of points in crucial games and the sky will be the limit for them.
By Siphiwe Hlongwane
