Be it in Mangaung or Jozi- the stadium would be packed to raptures-thanks to its legion of fans (young and old) in their green and white dominance attire.
News that it was sold to Durban businesswoman and owner of Royal AM Shauwn Mkhize, continues to haunt me.
This follows the approval by Premier Soccer League (PSL) the sale of the club to Mkhize, who has now relocated the team to Durban, subsequently renaming it Royal AM.
For years now Celtic’s has been experiencing financial woes and its owner Max Tshabalala tried to sell it but due to his outstanding issues with SARS then, he succumbed to the ‘carrot that was dangled’ by Mkhize to sell, without the knowledge of the supporters, we’re told.
Other businesspeople in Bloemfontein tried to salvage the pride of the team but it became way too costly.
Flamboyant and No 1 fan Botha Msila- who is synonymous for his love for the club- says he’s heartbroken and felt like a fish out of water, adding “it means they killed me”.
“Personally, it’s like you took a fish out of water, and then expect the fish to stay alive. It will die. It means they killed me because this was my life,” he was quoted.
Another well known female fan Mamello says there was nothing to persevere for (as per her name) since the club has been lost to Durbanites.
“I’m still shattered and words are hard to come by,” she said upon hearing on the sale of the club.
The granddaughter of the founder of the club ntate Petrus Molemela was quoted “my grandfather will turn in his ‘green and white grave’, if the club gets sold and relocate out of Bloemfontein”.
Yes, we know lately everything is about business since economy is unmanaged, hitting the 0.2percent mark and shrinking investment opportunities in the country.
I say this with a heavy heart- for thousands of fans across the length and breadth of SA, ‘Siwe’ is no more. The annual Macufe Cup euphoria would never be the same again. Amen!
Image (In happier days during the annual Macufe Cup. Bloem Celtic’s will now be known as Royal AM.)
