The atmospheric and vibrant football days among fans in Bloemfontein, Free State, are back, and Botha Msila is the most excited super fan ever in that province.
Msila, arguably the best-travelled fan, who can attend two matches in different provinces in one day, told Sunday World that he couldn’t have waited for a better time to have “his” club back in the City of Roses.
This after Siwelele ownership group owners led by Calvin Lee John, a close family member of Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, purchased the status of troubled SuperSport United before renaming the club Siwelele FC, and relocating it to Bloemfontein.
“We have waited for too long to have a club that we can call our own, and the arrival of Siwelele is a big thing to have happened. This is more like a prodigal son who came back home after losing his direction over the years,” said Msila.
“We are excited that the Free State, as the province, and more so here in Bloemfontein, has its own two representatives in the elite league. These are exciting news for a [happy] football-loving individual like myself, but more beneficial because I will be able to reduce my travelling across the country to support other clubs,” said Msila.
Msila remained loyal to wearing Bloemfontein Celtic’s regalia whenever attending matches across the country, even after the demise of the club in 2021. This was after the club was sold to Shauwn Mkhize for a staggering R50-million by the previous owner, Max Tshabalala.
“To my heart, Siwelele never stopped existing, hence I continued to put on my regalia that is branded in the club’s colours whenever attending the matches in different provinces. It was the spirit of denial, hoping that one day we would witness the club’s return, and this is exactly what I have been dreaming of,” said 54-year-old Msila.
He admitted that fans did receive the other club, Marumo Gallants, well, “But the impact on Siwelele is overwhelming because honestly speaking, this is the club that put the City of Mangaung on the map.””
Msila’s main concern is that football clubs have become lucrative businesses where owners can just sell statuses without taking into consideration the feelings of their fans.
“It is very painful to support a club, especially when they are still participating in the lower league, but only to be sold once they earn promotion to the bigger league without their fans’ knowledge, and we don’t wish to suffer the same fate again.”
Siwelele fans proved their loyalty during the club’s first league match against Golden Arrows, flocking to Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in large numbers to witness their idols scoring a 3-1 victory over Abafana Bes’thende on August 9.
Siwelele who have since lost their second game away to the league’s newcomers, Orbit College FC with 1-0, are lying sixth on the log with three points from two matches.
