By: Rampheteng Rorisang 

The Siwelele FC general meeting that took place at the Mangaung Indoor Sports Centre in Rocklands, Bloemfontein, not only served as an introductory platform for the new premiership club but also marked a major shift in Bloemfontein football support.

The meeting saw the entrants cement their status as Bloemfontein’s new flagship topflight football club going into the new season, as renowned Bloemfontein Celtic loyalists pledge allegiance to the new green and white outfit. Celtic co-founder, Victor Mahatanya, the supporter’s national chairman, Pule Mabena and Celtic veteran supporter and football super fan, Botha Msila, were all present at the general meeting as a clear sign of endorsement of the new Free State outfit, amongst others.

Even their Premier Soccer League rivals, Marumo Gallants, who are also based in the Free State capital, officially welcomed Siwelele FC with a warm message on their official Facebook page where Gallants chairman Abram was photographed handing over a Gallants replica shirt to Siwelele FC chairman, Calvin Lee John. These cordial relations between the two clubs have now been confirmed by Msila, who declared that Celtic supporters will from now on support both Siwelele FC and Gallants.

“We are going to support both teams. If Siwelele FC is away, we will support Marumo Gallants. We are looking forward to having a derby in our town,” said Msila. Celtic’s rejection by its own loyalists was supposedly spurred on by Celtic new owner Eddie Modise’s apparent association with former owner Max Tshabalala, who is largely blamed for the demise of the iconic Celtic brand under his ownership tenure.

It is further rumoured that the transaction never happened. According to Mabena, Modise has allegedly registered a new club under the name ‘Bloemfontein Celtic 01’, which leads to widespread perceptions that Tshabalala might still be the real owner of the original Celtic brand. “I asked Mr. Eddie (Modise) how he got the name, because Max Tshabalala has a history of double-crossing people. His response was, ‘Max is just a young boy.

I taught him business; he will not double-cross me. I am his master’,” Mabena publicly stated in a broadcast interview with FS Online. Siwelele FC supporters agreed that they are no longer going to negotiate with Modise about the team’s status.

With Mahatanya, Former Celtic and Orlando Pirates skipper Lehlohonolo Seema will lead the Siwelele FC technical staff as the head coach, former Bafana Bafana target man Mark Williams, who won gold with the national side at African Cup of Nations back in 1996, will head the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side. Siwelele FC’s first game of the 2025/26 season is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 9 August 2025, against Lamontville Golden Arrows at Lucas Moripe Stadium.