Bloemfontein Celtic: the history of this South African Football team

Bloemfontein Celtic is a South African professional football club based in the city of Bloemfontein. The club was founded in 1969 and has a rich history in South African football.

Celtic has had some notable players over the years, including Thabo Nthethe and Patrick Tignyemb.

In the early years, they played in the lower divisions of South African football but achieved promotion to the top-flight Premier Soccer League (PSL) in 1985. Since then, Bloemfontein Celtic has become a permanent fixture in the PSL and has enjoyed some success over the years.

Their biggest achievement to date came in 1985 when they won the Rothmans Cup, which was one of the most prestigious cups at the time. They have also reached the final of the Mandela Cup twice, in 1998 and 2001, but lost on both occasions.

In recent years, Bloemfontein Celtic has consistently finished in mid-table in the PSL but has struggled to compete with the bigger clubs in the league. However, they did manage to win the Nedbank Cup in 2012, which remains their only major trophy in the PSL era.

Off the field, Bloemfontein Celtic has had its fair share of financial struggles and ownership disputes. In 2020, it was announced that businessman Max Tshabalala had sold the club to Mbombela-based businessman Sinki Leshabane, who is aiming to take the club to new heights.

Who are some of the standout players to have played for Bloemfontein Celtic in the past and what impact did they have on the club?

Bloemfontein Celtic has had a number of standout players over the years that have made a significant impact on the club. One such player is Phunya Sele Sele’s all-time leading scorer, Lennox Bacela, who played for the club between 2013 and 2015.

Bacela scored an impressive 18 goals in his debut season for Celtic and helped lead the team to a fifth-place finish in the league. He was also instrumental in helping the team reach the Nedbank Cup final in the same year, scoring twice in the semifinals against Kaizer Chiefs.

Another notable player to have played for Celtic is Alfred Ndengane, who joined the team in 2016. Ndengane quickly established himself as a key player for the team, and his performances earned him a call-up to the South African national team.

Other notable players who have played for Bloemfontein Celtic in the past include Thabo Nthethe, Keegan Ritchie, and Patrick Tignyemb, who is the team’s all-time record holder for appearances.

What are the current goals and aspirations of Bloemfontein Celtic, and what steps are they taking to achieve success both on and off the pitch?

Bloemfontein Celtic has set their sights on becoming one of the top teams in South Africa. Their main goal is to consistently finish in the top four of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and qualify for continental competitions like the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederations Cup. They also aspire to win domestic trophies like the Nedbank Cup and MTN8.

To achieve these goals, the team has been focusing on several key areas. Firstly, they have invested in player recruitment and development, bringing in talented young players and fostering their growth. They have also hired experienced coaches such as John Maduka to lead the team and implement effective strategies both on and off the pitch.

Off the pitch, the team has been working on strengthening their infrastructure and improving their financial stability. They have refurbished their stadium, the Dr Molemela Stadium, and have also secured sponsorship deals with companies like Bloem Water and Payless.