There are no PSL teams in the entire Free State after Bloemfontein Celtic sold its status to Royal AM at the beginning of the 2021/22 season. The Qwaqwa-based Free State Stars also played in the PSL but were relegated to the National First Division, but their status has also been sold.

This has left thousands of loyal Phunya Sele Sele supporters without a team to support and this has left a very bitter taste not just in the province, but also in South Africa.

In a new development, the Polokwane-based PSL side, Marumo Gallants, is set to relocate to Bloemfontein for the remainder of the season, and from the 2023/24 season, the club will be rebranded to fall in line with a Celtic-related name.

Earlier, it was suggested that the club would be known as Celtic FC if someone was able to get a team to play in the City of Roses.

Since the demise of Celtic, the Petrus Molemela Stadium has hardly been used and has been run down.

A video surfaced in which a man believed to be Kenny Dichabe stated that the team will relocate to Bloemfontein and will be rebranded beginning next season.

The chairperson of the Bloemfontein Celtic National Supporters club, Mabena Pule, told OFM Sport that the plan is to bring a club to Bloemfontein, however, it is imperative to have the buy-in from the supporters themselves.

Gallants are currently 11th in the PSL standings with 13 points after 12 games.

More to follow…

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport