Eddie Modise forging ahead with Bloem Celtic plans, despite Siwelele FC emergence

Modise owns the naming and imaging rights for Celtic, having made the transaction with previous owner Max Tshabalala a few months ago, and is adamant that the club will still return before the start of the 2025/26 PSL season. 

He does, however, insist on buying the status of a club in the Motsepe Foundation Championship(NFD) – having previously said he wants to get promoted to the top league on merit. 

It has also been established by SABC Sport that Modise is looking to bring other partners on board, and is currently busy with negotiations for a 40% stake to a potential investor. 

We have also been informed that he is open to talks with the Siwelele camp regarding the use of the name, but nothing has yet been initiated in that regard. Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie’s son Calvin Le John, was revealed as the man behind the sale of Supersport United to be renamed and relocated in an attempt to appease the multitudes of football fans in the city of Bloemfontein and the Free State province in general. 

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The stumbling block for them is that they cannot use the name Bloemfontein Celtic, unless granted permission by Modise. 

After weeks of speculation, Supersport International finally announced yesterday that Matsatsantsa-a-Pitori had officially been sold to Siwelele Football Club (Pty) Ltd under Le John’s chairmanship, signalling an end of an era for one of the country’s most successful football clubs. 

It also means there will not be a Tshwane derby in the league for the first time in the PSL era.

The move means Mangaung will have a guaranteed two clubs in the Betway Premiership next season with Marumo Gallants also in the city, while they could potentially have three in the professional ranks should Modise’s deal go through.