By Nangamso Mabindla
7 February 2007

PREMIER League High Flyers Bloemfontein Celtics promised to unleash new players when they clash with Swedish side Gefle IF in East London today.

The Bloemfontein outfit arrived in East London on Monday and immediately promised local fans some fascinating football. The match will be used to market Buffalo City and its facilities as a base during the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup.

Speaking after the team's arrival, Celtics Coach Tony de Nobrega said the game would give his team a chance to try new combinations.

"We have several new players that we want to try out and this game will provide these players an opportunity to stake a claim in the first 11," De Nobrega said.

He expected the Swedes to be physical, with good technical skills. "I think they will play like most European teams do - a bit physical - and I feel we are going to have a very good game on tomorrow."

Along with some new players, Phunya Sele Sele also brought most of their star players to East London, including former Kaizer Chiefs Defender Gary Goldstone, Zambian international Sashi Chalwe and rising star James Madidilane.

Team captain Gary Goldstone said that games with European teams would also give local teams a chance to learn new skills. "We will definitely learn something from them and I feel they also will learn from us. These games also give our players a chance to showcase their talent; and maybe market themselves to European scouts," he said.

When the game starts on Wednesday all eyes will be on former Amaglug-glug and Wits University star Regan Noble. For the past two seasons the youngster has failed to make a mark at league champions Mamelodi Sundowns. But now that he has been handed a lifeline Noble said that he aimed to grab it with both hands.

"It's been a while since I played competitive soccer because at Sundowns I did not get enough opportunities. But now that I have this chance I want to return to the form that took me to the national under-23 side."

The Gefle side arrived in the city last week and immediately started preparing for the big game by beating a Buffalo City invitation team by goals to one. On Thursday they held coaching sessions for township youngsters at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.

The Bloemfontein Celtics - Gefle IF game kicks off at 7pm at the Absa stadium.