Soccer
Celtic legend named as Siwelele FC’s first coach─── MORGAN PIEK 07:53 Mon, 21 Jul 2025
Legendary former Bloemfontein Celtic captain and midfielder, Lehlohonolo Seema, has landed a new coaching job ahead of the 2025/26 domestic season, which kicks off in August.
The 45-year-old has been out of work since March, when he was let go by Sekhukhune United and replaced by Eric Tinkler.
On Sunday, Seema was officially unveiled as the head coach of the newly formed Premier Soccer League side, Siwelele FC. The deal was finalised on Saturday, and Seema was introduced to supporters during a Bloemfontein Celtic Supporters Club meeting at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Rocklands.
Born in Bloemfontein.
Backed by passion.
Built on heart.
This is Siwelele ??#SiweleleFC pic.twitter.com/QQWpn3bVgA— Siwelele Football Club (@Siwelele_FC) July 20, 2025
Andre Arendse, who was the SuperSport interim coach and ensured their survival in the league, is reportedly staying on as a part of Seema’s technical team.
Several squad members were also present, many of whom previously played for SuperSport United – the club from which Siwelele bought their PSL status. Former Matsatsantsa a Pitori CEO, Stan Matthews, who now serves as Siwelele’s CEO, also attended the meeting.
The club’s chairman and owner, Calvyn Le’John – son of South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie – was also in attendance. It’s believed to have been his first public appearance since it was announced earlier this month that he had purchased SuperSport United’s top-flight status.
Lehlohonolo Seema. Photo: X
During the meeting, it was also revealed that Siwelele had made a generous donation of R100,000 to the Bloemfontein Celtic Supporters Club.
Supporters were informed that not all of Siwelele’s home matches would be played in Bloemfontein, given the logistical challenges of relocating a club so close to the start of the season.
It has been confirmed that Siwelele’s first official home fixture in the DStv Premiership will take place at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, where they’ll face Golden Arrows on 9 August. Ironically, that’s a club Seema previously coached during the 2020/21 season.
However, fans in the Free State won’t have to wait long to see the team in action locally. Siwelele will play their first friendly in Bloemfontein on 3 August against newly promoted Orbit College FC from North West. The two sides will meet again just three days later in a return warm-up match in Rustenburg.
