Bloemfontein Celtic coach Owen da Gama is hoping to put the cherry on top of a good season by winning the Telkom Knockout, but knows he faces a tough hurdle in the first round against Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday night.

Celtic finished sixth in the Absa Premiership after narrowly avoiding relegation the previous season and Da Gama deserves a pat on the back for turning around Celtic's fortunes, despite speculation that Gordon Igesund is being lined up to replace him next season.

Nevertheless, Da Gama is focused on the job at hand. "We enjoyed a good season so far but made mistakes from which we learnt. We are looking forward to a good cup run."

Da Gama believes if Celtic can beat Pirates it could propel them into the final.

Da Gama has been down this road before though. "When I coached Silver Stars (now Platinum Stars) in 2006, we played Kaizer Chiefs in the first round and then went on to win the cup.

"I strongly believe if we can beat Pirates, then the motivation will be there for us to go all the way."

Pirates will be weakened by having six players on duty with Bafana Bafana in Brazil where national head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is holding a four week training camp.

But Da Gama is also minus six players, two with Bafana ? midfielders Tlou Segolela and Thabo Nthethe - the injured Cecil Oerson and three suspended players in defenders Michael Khaile, Johannes Motlhaping and Wellington Sambu.

Good news is experienced defender Mokete Tsotsetsi, is back from suspension.

Mass changes

"Having to make six changes could work for or against either side. It will be the team that wants it most on the night.

"Having six players out means an opportunity to other players to show me they deserve to be in the starting line-up,? he added.

Da Gama said added motivation for some of the squad is the fact contracts were up for grabs at the end of the season.

The former Bucs coach also knows Pirates have more depth than Celtic, but he believes his side can upset Pirates in their own backyard.

"We beat Pirates 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup last season in Potchefstroom and have a good away record this season. We are quietly confident."

The two sides met in the final league fixture in the Free State capital last weekend in a clash that ended 1-1.

Da Gama is set to give teenage striker Bongani Ndulula another run after he scored the equaliser last weekend against the Buccaneers.

One of the six changes Bucs coach Ruud Krol will have to make is in goal by bringing in Senzo Meyiwa to replace Moeneeb Josephs who is in Brazil.

Meyiwa has played three times this season and is raring to go, but warned his players about a weakness he noticed creeping into the team. ?We tend to lose concentration late in matches.

"We need to focus for the entire game. I am looking forward to playing and determined to give it my all. The coach has been brilliant this week with the way he has motivated us."

In Saturday's other Knockout clash Golden Arrows host Platinum Stars at the Chatsworth Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm.

On Sunday, Premiership champions SuperSport United will be hoping to end their two match losing streak when they play relegation haunted Mpumalanga Black Aces at Witbank's Puma Stadium.

United were beaten 3-0 away by AmaZulu in their last league match and coach Gavin Hunt will want to put matters right against Aces who finished 15th in the 16 team Premiership and are involved in the promotion/relegation playoff.

Aces meet Nathi Lions in the first leg of the semi-final playoff at home next Wednesday and that is expected to take priority.

In Sunday's other clash Ajax Cape Town host Moroka Swallows at Newlands.