Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila’s (TTM) arrival in Bloemfontein has opened up old wounds.
The Motsepe Foundation Championship team will play its home games at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium after their recent relocation from Limpopo.
While this move brings professional football back to the football-loving community of the Free State after Bloemfontein Celtic was sold in August 2021, the fans are up in arms because the former owner of Celtic, Max Tshabalala, is allegedly involved at TTM.
“Max wants to revive Celtic,” said an informant. However, Celtic supporters want nothing to do with him after he sold their beloved Siwelele two seasons ago.
Sunday World spoke to Celtic’s National Supporters Club chairperson, Mabena Pule, who confirmed that supporters are happy to have TTM play in their backyard, but on condition that Tshabalala is not involved.
“The supporters don’t like that man; they don’t trust him; they still hate him and they are still bleeding from the pain that he has caused (by selling the club to Royal AM), and he never had the decency to come and apologise,” said Pule.
On Thursday night, TTM boss Lawrence Mulaudzi attended a Siwelele Supporters general meeting at Paradise Hall in Bochabela and assured the supporters that Tshabalala has no role at TTM. “He said he only needed assistance from Max as TTM settled here, but the supporters don’t want to hear that name,” Pule said.
Rumour has it that TTM will be rebranded as Bloemfontein Celtic ahead of next season, but the name won’t come cheap as Tshabalala is allegedly demanding R5-million for the naming rights. In fact, TTM have already changed their colours to green and white – Celtic’s colours.
Supporters feel “disrespected” because the same person who bought Celtic (Shauwn Mkhize) appears to be heavily involved at TTM. TTM arrived in Bloemfontein in a Royal AM minibus. On top of that, Royal AM sent eight players on loan to TTM in the January transfer window.
“During TTM’s friendly against Black Cross (a local side), Mkhize was here. When she bought Celtic, she sold her NFD status to Mulaudzi. The supporters are bitter because that NFD status should’ve been given to Celtic after we lost our Premiership status, so there is no way Celtic supporters are going to support TTM,” stated our mole.
Meanwhile, this paper has been informed that top-flight club Marumo Gallants may play some of their remaining home games in Bloemfontein, starting against TS Galaxy on March 4, and unlike TTM, the supporters are ready to welcome “Bahlabane Ba Ntwa”.
Tshabalala, Mulaudzi and Mkhize couldn’t be reached for comment.
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