Bloemfontein Celtic F.C.

Bloemfontein Celtic Football Club (simply known as Celtic) is a South African amateur football club based in Bloemfontein that competes in the ABC Motsepe League, the third tier of the South African football league system. Bloemfontein Celtic has a large fan base in the Free State. Its supporters were known as Siwelele. The team plays its home matches in Siwelele Park Ground.

Bloemfontein Celtic
Full nameBloemfontein Celtic Football Club
Nickname(s)Phunya Sele Sele, Siwelele
Founded1969 (1969), as Mangaung United
GroundSiwelele Park Ground, Bloemfontein
Capacity5,00
LeagueABC Motsepe League
2021–2211th

The club sold its franchise to Royal AM before the start of the 2021–22 South African Premier Division season.[1][2][3]

History

The club was founded by Norman Mathobisa and Victor Mahatane in 1969. They administered the club until the early 1980s when financial challenges forced them to sell the club to Petrus "Whitehead" Molemela.[4] In November 2001, after the relegation of Phunya Sele Sele, Molemela sold his shares in the club to Demetri "Jimmy" Augousti, a former Celtic player.

After only three years out of the top-flight, the club regained its PSL status with an impressive season in 2003–04 when they were crowned First Division champions. They also managed to win the 2005 SAA Supa 8 and the 2007 Telkom Charity Cup.

In 2009 they formed a partnership with Portuguese club Sporting CP, that included the creation of a youth academy, based in the capital of the Free State.[5]

Max Tshabalala, who also owns Roses United, took over from Augousti on 21 July 2014.[6]

Honours

Club records

Premier Soccer League record

Club officials/technical team
  • Chairman: Max Tshabalala
  • MD: Rali Ramabodu
  • CEO: Khumbulani Konco
  • Team manager: John Maduka
  • Coach: Lehlohonolo Seema
  • Goalkeeper coach: Andre Bronkhorst
  • Head of youth development: Molefi Ntseki
  • Sports Scientist: Molaoa Pakiso

First team squad

Current squad
As of 4 April 2021

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  RSA Gerhard Phafoli
2 DF  RSA Mpusana Tani
3 DF  RSA Mzwanele Mahashe
5 DF  RSA Wandisile Letlabika
7 MF  RSA Tumelo Mangweni
8 MF  RSA Lantshene Phalane
9 FW  LES Sera Motebang
10 FW  RSA Ndumiso Mabena
11 FW  RSA Tebogo Potsane
12 MF  RSA Neo Maema
13 MF  RSA Siphelele Luthuli
14 FW  RSA Tumelo Njoti
15 DF  ZIM Ronald Pfumbidzai
16 GK  RSA Jackson Mabokgwane
17 FW  RSA Rendani Ndou
18 MF  RSA Given Mashikinya
19 DF  RSA Sello Matjila
20 MF  RSA Ryan De Jongh
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 MF  RSA Victor Letsoalo
22 DF  RSA Tshepo Rikhotso
23 MF  RSA Tumiso Mogakwe
24 DF  RSA Thato Lingwati
25 DF  RSA Justice Chabalala
26 MF  RSA Sifiso Ngobeni
27 FW  CGO Harris Tchilimbou
28 DF  RSA Teboho Khasipe
31 GK  RSA Sipho Chaine
32 GK  RSA Mondli Mpoto
33 DF  RSA Justice Chabalala
34 MF  RSA Andile Fikizolo
35 MF  RSA Lucky Baloyi
36 DF  RSA Aviwe Nyamende
38 DF  RSA Mokone Mereko
42 MF  RSA Jabulani Ncobeni
50 MF  RSA Menzi Masuku

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  RSA Shadrack Kobedi (on loan at TS Sporting)

Kit manufacturer

Chairmen
  • Norman Mathobisa and Victor Mahatanya (1969–1984)
  • Petros Molemela (1984 – November 2001)
  • Jimmy Augousti (November 2001 – 21 July 2014)
  • Max Tshabalala (21 July 2014 – 22 July 2014)
  • Khumo Molahlehi (23 July 2014 – present)

Coaches
  • Paul Dolezar (2005–06)
  • Tony De Nobrega (2006–07)
  • Khabo Zondo (1 July 2007 – 9 April 2008)
  • David Modise (interim) (April 2008 – 8 June)
  • Mich d'Avray (1 July 2008 – 27 December 2008)
  • Owen Da Gama (28 Dec 2008 – 30 June 2010)
  • Clinton Larsen (9 Aug 2010 – 7 October 2013)
  • Ernst Middendorp (11 Oct 2013 – 15 December 2014)
  • Clinton Larsen (15 Dec 2014–2015)
  • Serame Letsoaka ( 3 Dec 2015–30 Oct 2016)
  • John Maduka & Lehlohonolo Seema(interim)(30 Oct 2016–3 Jul 2017)
  • Veselin Jelusic (3 July 2017 – 14 June 2018)
  • Steve Khompela ( 20 June 2018–27 Dec 2018)
  • Lehlohonolo Seema (28 Dec 2018– 5 Jul 2020)
  • John Maduka (6 July 2020–present)

References
  1. Sibembe, Yanga (17 August 2021). "SOCCER: Royal AM finally make it into the Premiership after PSL confirms Bloem Celtic purchase". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  2. "OFFICIAL | PSL confirm Bloemfontein Celtic sale, club to be renamed Royal AM". Kick Off. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  3. "PSL confirms sale of Bloemfontein Celtic to Royal AM". FS News Online. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  4. "Celtic co-founder Mathobisa mourned". The Sowetan.
  5. Bloemfontein Celtic FC (2009). "Academy: New academy to improve Celtic football". Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  6. "Max Tshabala Says He Is The New Bloem Celtic Owner". soccerladuma.co.za.
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