CLUB BAN PUTS A TWIST ON CELTIC DUO’S FUTURE

Siya sources in the know have confirmed that Bloemfontein Celtic’s two-year transfer ban, handed down by FIFA, has thrown a spanner in the works for two of the club’s wantaway stars.

Celtic were slapped with a ban following the unfair dismissal of the club’s former captain, Patrick Tignyemb, in 2019. The Mangaung outfit were also forced to pay the Cameroonian a R3 million settlement fee.

Now, according to well-placed Siya sources, the club’s transfer ban has affected specific players.

Celtic were set to part ways with midfield duo Ryan de Jongh, whose contract is up with the club in June 2021, as well as Lantshene Phalane, who was transfer-listed by the club earlier this season.

But, according to sources, the duo may well be staying put at Siwelele thanks to the club’s ban, which prohibits them from making any new signings for the next two transfer windows.

According to the sources, both De Jongh and Phalane are likely to be handed new one-year deals by Celtic, who run the risk of competing with a depleted squad next season.

Lantshene, 31, has featured 12 times for John Maduka’s side, while De Jongh, 31, has been used mainly as a sub and has featured 11 times this campaign.

In addition, as reported by the crew, Celtic are also set to lose the services of Justice Chabalala, whose loan deal expires on 30 June 2021. The player is adamant on a return to Orlando Pirates, despite spending the last seasonand-a-half in Celtic colours.