Latest news with #BloemfonteinCeltic
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Bloemfontein Celtic identity crisis: revival or rivalry?
For now, the light at the end of the tunnel looks increasingly more like an oncoming train. Marumo Gallants Fans/Bloemfontein Celtic fans during the Betway Premiership 2024/25 football match against Kaizer Chiefs at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein on 14 September 2024 @Gavin Barker/BackpagePix Now that the dust has settled and SuperSport United's demise is officially confirmed, it's time to address the elephant in the room. Will the real Bloemfontein Celtic please stand up? The curious state of affairs in trying to revive the club would be funny if it wasn't this confusing to all football lovers in the Free State province. ALSO READ: Sundowns unveil home and away kits for 2025/26 season The PSL status formerly held by United has been acquired by a new entity, Siwelele FC, backed by a Bloemfontein-based consortium led by Calvin Le John, son of Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie. Celtic in Tshwane The club is set to play its 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign out of Lucas Moripe Stadium in Tshwane, and despite the change in location, it is already positioning itself as the spiritual successor to the original Celtic. Mckenzie has publicly shared his family's emotional connection to the club, with the outspoken sports minister once revealing, 'The only time my father hugged me was when Celtic scored a goal.' While the minister insists he will not interfere in club matters while in office, his influence looms large over the project. However, the situation is far from clear-cut. Edward Modise, a Free State businessman, has legally acquired the naming rights to Bloemfontein Celtic from former owner Max Tshabalala. In an interview with Radio 2000's Thabiso Mosia, Modise outlined plans to purchase a Motsepe Foundation Championship status and restore the Celtic brand through promotion, rather than top-flight acquisition. This has left some supporters in a state of confusion. Should they rally behind Siwelele FC, who have a PSL status but no official claim to the Celtic name, or wait for Modise's version, rooted in Free State and built from the ground up? ALSO READ: Ex-Pirates star compares Nkota to Bale Social media activity suggests Siwelele FC has already begun engaging with fans, holding community meetings and using club iconography. Yet, the legitimacy of this effort remains in question given that the actual naming rights reside with Modise. Tug-of-war It's a tug-of-war for heritage, identity and fan loyalty. It threatens to further fracture a supporter base already left heartbroken by the club's earlier sale. Instead of a long-awaited return, Celtic fans are now watching two rival visions pulling in different directions. Siwelele FC will open their premiership campaign against Golden Arrows while the true revival of Bloemfontein Celtic remains in limbo. The question remains, where does this leave the loyal Phunya Sele Sele faithful? Who do they back, Le John's Siwelele FC, or Modise's bid to bring back the real Celtic? What happens if Modise follows through and secures a status in the NFD? The naming rights legally belong to him, and a potential clash seems inevitable. At this stage, it's difficult to speak of a true revival when two camps claim the same legacy but are pulling in opposite directions. ALSO READ: Banyana star Salgado on the mend after successful surgery For now, the light at the end of the tunnel looks increasingly more like an oncoming train. Once again, the fans risk ending up on the wrong side of a messy collision.
IOL News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Lehlohonolo Seema returns home as Siwelele rise from the ashes
In a twist seemingly scripted for the romance of South African football, Lehlohonolo Seema has returned to where it all began — not to marshal the defence, but to call the shots from the dugout. The former Bloemfontein Celtic captain has been appointed head coach of Siwelele FC, the newly formed side rising from the purchase of SuperSport United's Betway Premiership status. Pending league approval, the team will relocate to the Free State capital, where football hearts have long ached for the return of their beloved green and white. For Seema, this is more than just a coaching job. It's home. It's a legacy. Since retiring, Seema has taken the scenic route to Bloemfontein's technical area — weathering boardroom chaos at Chippa United, pushing young talent at Golden Arrows, and steering Sekhukhune United into the Top 4 before a surprise parting of ways in March this year.
TimesLIVE
17-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Letladi Madubanya picks Lucas Ribeiro as Footballer of the Season
In the 72nd episode of the Arena Sports Show, presenter Mahlatse Mphahlele is joined by former SuperSport United, Bidvest Wits, Bloemfontein Celtic, Platinum Stars and Maritzburg United midfielder Letladi Madubanya. The discussion with the former combative midfielder starts with Madubanya's upbringing in Alexandra, where he grew up around superstars like the late Isaac 'Shakes' Kungwane and Brian 'Spiderman' Baloyi.
The South African
17-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize says SORRY to Bloemfontein Celtic fans
Businesswoman and controversial football club owner Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize has publicly apologised to Bloemfontein Celtic supporters, nearly four years after purchasing and relocating the club to KwaZulu-Natal in a move that effectively erased its presence from South African football. In an interview on Metro FM, MaMkhize expressed regret for her handling of the 2021 acquisition of Bloemfontein Celtic – which she rebranded to Royal AM – a decision that left the club's passionate Siwelele fanbase devastated. 'I sincerely apologise to its supporters for the name change; I could have done better. I could have done as I did now,' said MaMkhize. 'I told myself that I would not change the name of the team that was founded in 1952.' The apology comes on the heels of Royal AM's expulsion from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) during the 2024/25 season, following repeated failure to honour fixtures. Adding to the controversy, the Pretoria High Court recently ruled that the PSL had long had the right to expel Royal AM, even before the match no-shows. The ruling cited unauthorised transfer of shares and false information provided in the club's original PSL membership application. On Saturday, MaMkhize was announced as the new president of Eswatini giants Mbabane Highlanders, a team with deep roots in southern African football, dating back to 1969. Under her leadership, the team has been renamed Mbabane Highlanders AM FC, and will now sport black kits with golden accents, a break from the club's traditional black-and-white identity. Despite the changes, MaMkhize has promised to preserve the legacy and soul of the club. 'When you look at Mbabane Highlanders, it is structured similarly to Bloemfontein Celtic. The team has committees, a history, and a large fanbase. I felt it was inappropriate to break their hearts,' she said. 'I'm just putting something in place that will represent me and my son, but that will still allow the people who love Mbabane Highlanders to continue seeing it as the team they know.' Despite the fanfare around the Highlanders takeover, critics remain sceptical of MaMkhize's motivations. Questions have emerged over whether the move is a genuine effort to stay involved in football or another high-profile display of power. Last season, Mbabane Highlanders finished eighth in the Swazi MTN Premier League – a modest showing for a club with championship ambitions. It remains to be seen whether MaMkhize's influence can turn around their fortunes on the pitch while maintaining the respect of a loyal fanbase. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
MaMkhize apologises to Bloemfontein Celtic fans as she rebrands Eswatini team
SHAUWN Mkhize's intentions in football remain questionable as she moves to the Eswatini league with the AM rebranding. | BackpagePix That because the court found out that Royal AM had provided incorrect information in there PSL membership application, and underwent unauthorised transfer of shares. Recently the Pretoria High Court ruled that the the PSL had actually long been at at liberty to expel Royal AM even before last season's inability to honour their fixtures. In 2025 Royal AM were expelled from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) midway through the 2024/25 season due to failure to play their matches. In 2021, MaMkhize purchased the team that was based in Bloemfontein, and she rebranded it to Royal AM and relocated it to KwaZulu-Natal - leaving the passionate Siwelele fans heartbroken and clubless. CONTROVERSIAL Royal AM owner Shauwn "MaMkhize" Mkhize has issued an apology to Bloemfontein Celtic fans for the dissolution of the historic football team when she bought it's status in 2021. On Saturday, MaMkhize was announced as the new president of the Eswatini team, Mbabane Highlanders. The team will now be known as Mbabane Highlanders AM FC, and its previous black and white colours have been changed to black with golden accents. MaMkhize expressed a desire to honour the legacy of the team, which was founded in 1969, during her takeover. 'I think Bloemfontein Celtic suffered due to difficult circumstances. I sincerely apologise to its supporters for the name change; I could have done better. I could have done as I did now, as I told myself that I would not change the name of the team that was founded in 1952,' MaMkhize said in an interview with Sports Amplified on Metro FM. 'When you look at Mbabane Highlanders, it is structured similarly to Bloemfontein Celtic. The team has committees, a history, and a large fanbase. I felt it was inappropriate to break their hearts. 'I'm just putting something in place that will represent me and my son, but that will still allow the people who love Mbabane Highlanders to continue seeing it as the team they know.' MaMkhize went on to say that she does not see her son, Andile, continuing to play for the Highlanders as he did at Thwihli Thwahla, where he wore the number 10 jersey. 'Andile wants to get more involved in the management of the team now. Even when Royal AM was still around, he was starting to focus on team management issues. "I think what he wanted was to play at a higher level, which he has now tasted. At the moment, I see that he prefers to be part of the team management,' MaMkhize said. Last season, the Highlanders finished in eighth place in the Swazi MTN Premier League. Mkhize's intentions to buy Highlanders, though, still remains questionable as to whether she is driven by passion to remain involved in football or it is merely just a show off of resistance.
