Bloemfontein Celtic F.C.

Bloemfontein Celtic
Full name Bloemfontein Celtic Football Club
Nickname(s) Phunya Sele Sele, Siwelele
Founded 1969, as Mangaung United
Ground Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Ground Capacity 48,000
Chairman Max Tshabalala
Coach Clinton Larsen
League ABSA Premiership
2013–14 ABSA Premiership, 6th

Bloemfontein Celtic is a South African football club based in Bloemfontein that plays in the Premier Soccer League.

Bloemfontein Celtic has a large fan base in the Free State. Siwelele, as Celtic's supporters are known, are arguably the most passionate in South Africa.

History

The club was founded by the late Norman Mathobisa and Victor Mahatanya in 1969 as Mangaung United. Mahatanya and Mathobisa administered the club until the early 1980s when financial challenges forced them to sell the club to Petrus "Whitehead" Molemela.[1] In 1984, Molemela took over the club and changed the name to Bloemfontein Celtic. In November 2001, after the relegation of Phunya Sele Sele, Molemela sold his shares in the club to Demetri "Jimmy" Augousti, a former Celtic player.

After only three years out of the top-flight, the club regained its PSL status with an impressive season in 2003–04 when they were crowned First Division champions. They also managed to win the 2005 SAA Supa 8 and the 2007 Telkom Charity Cup.

In 2009 they formed a partnership with Portuguese club Sporting CP, that included the creation of a youth academy, based in the capital of the Free State.[2]

Max Tshabalala who also owns Roses United took over from Jimmy Augousti on 21 July 2014.[3]

Honours

Club records

Premier Soccer League record

Club officials/Technical team

First team squad

As of 21 January, 2016.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
3 South Africa DF Mthokozisi Dube
4 South Africa MF Musa Nyatama
5 South Africa DF Wandisile Letlabika
6 South Africa MF Keagan Buchanan
7 South Africa MF Lyle Lakay
8 South Africa MF Lantshene Phalane
9 South Africa FW Tshegofatso Mabaso
10 Malawi MF Gabadinho Mhango
11 South Africa MF Wayde Jooste
13 South Africa FW Gregory Maasdorp
14 South Africa FW Lerato Lamola
15 South Africa MF Vuyani Ntanga
16 South Africa DF Bevan Fransman (Team Captain)
17 Uganda FW Geoffrey Massa
No. Position Player
19 South Africa DF Tumelo Mogapi
20 South Africa DF Thabang Matuka
22 South Africa DF Mbhazima Rikhotso
23 South Africa MF Vusi Shikweni
24 Mozambique FW Hélder Pelembe
25 South Africa MF Kabelo Mahlasela
26 South Africa DF Aphiwe Lubisi
27 South Africa DF Alfred Ndengane
28 South Africa DF Musa Bilankulu
29 South Africa GK Ayanda Mtshali
30 Cameroon GK Patrick Tignyemb
31 South Africa GK Bongani Mpandle
42 South Africa MF Dumisani Zuma
44 South Africa MF Shane April

On loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
Zambia DF Davies Nkausu (at Pretoria until 30 June 2015)

Foreigners

In the South African PSL, only five non-South African nationals can be registered. Foreign players who have acquired permanent residency can be registered as locals. Namibians born before 1990 can be registered as South Africans.

Shirt sponsor & kit manufacturer

Chairmen

Coaches

References

  1. ↑ http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/2012/06/12/celtic-co-founder-mathobisa-mourned
  2. ↑ Bloemfontein Celtic FC (2009). "Academy: New academy to improve Celtic football".
  3. ↑ http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/teams/bloemfontein-celtic/max-tshabala-says-he-is-the-new-bloem-celtic-owner/170006

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, March 17, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.