Phunya Sele Sele Bloemfontein Celtic fans cheer on their team during a league game back in the 2009/2010 season. Photo: Alexander Joe/AFP
Image: Alexander Joe/AFP
The name of Bloemfontein Celtic is one on everybody’s lips these days.
Siwelele, one of South Africa’s most beloved clubs, who were followed by their passionate supporters everywhere they went, could soon be returning to the PSL thanks to the efforts of Bloemfontein-based businessman Eddie Modise.
Recently, Bra Eddie – as he is affectionately known – acquired the naming rights for R5 million from Max Tshabalala, who owned the club when it was purchased by Shauwn Mkhize in 2021 and renamed Royal AM. Everyone knows how that story ended.
Immediately after acquiring the name, Modise insisted he was not after the top-flight status of SuperSport United, as has been reported in recent weeks. Matsatsantsa had a torrid season and avoided relegation from the Betway Premiership by the skin of their teeth after earning a 1-all draw from their rescheduled game against Golden Arrows on Thursday afternoon.
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Modise said he wanted to start in the Motsepe Foundation Championship and wasn’t after SuperSport United’s status.
"For now, my plan is to start in the NFD. I want to first buy a team in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. I have spoken to some clubs already. To tell you the truth, I have not shown interest in SuperSport United,” Modise was quoted as saying by Soccer Laduma. “Maybe there is another consortium. What I know is that I have the naming rights and the name is very important. But if other people have the same rights, then I don't know. But if they do, maybe we can talk.”
During the whole Royal AM debacle, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie was said to be involved in an attempt to buy the club from the South African Revenue Service with the plan of reviving Celtic.
About the minister, Modise said: “He is a well-known person in Bloemfontein. He is a well-known supporter of the club and we are grateful to have him. But we know that the laws do not allow him to be part of the ownership. And we are following all the rules and laws of the game. But as a supporter, he is more than welcome to join the team.”
IOL Sport