The draw for the prestigious Absa Cup KO competition was conducted in Johannesburg on Monday this week. Black Leopards Football Club will host Bloemfontein Celtic in the last 32 stage of the competition.

It is the same Celtic who lost 1-2 to Lidoda Duvha in their league fixture at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Bloemfontein last Thursday. To show that Celtic were not anticipating a defeat against Leopards, they fired their coach, Mr Paul Dolezar, two days after that match.

The date for the match will be announced in due course, but the match will definitely be played at the Thohoyandou Stadium as Leopards have won the home ground advantage. The first matches will be played on Wednesday, March 8.

The Leopards’ brand manager, Tshifhiwa Thidiela, was quick to mention that they are happy that they will be playing Celtic at home, apart from the fact that they know all the weak points for the Free State side. Dynamos will play against Moroka Swallows at the Giyani Stadium.

The other Absa Cup fixtures are: Real Naughty FC vs City Pillars, PJ Stars vs Jomo Cosmos, Witbank Spurs vs Bush Bucks, Bidvest Wits vs Thembisa Classic, Sasolburg Juventus vs Blackburn Rovers Football Club, Alexandra United vs Bloemfontein Young Tigers, Orlando Pirates vs Free State Stars, Hanover Park vs Maritzburg United, Charlton FC vs Mabopane Young Masters, Ajax Cape Town vs Silver Stars, Santos vs Island FC, Kaizer Chiefs vs Supersport United, Leandra vs Nathi Lions and Golden Arrows vs Mamelodi Sundowns.