Future of Free State football

We, as Free State citizens and passionate football lovers, are very worried about the state of the game in our province. We’re likely to be left without a DStv Premiership representative from next season if Bloemfontein Celtic go down.

In the 1980s, the Free State used to be represented by two credible and competent clubs – Celtic and Welkom Real Hearts. After the relegation of Free State Stars from the Premiership, the province is pinning their hopes on Celtic, whose future is uncertain as they’ve been banned from s signing new players. Celtic have been struggling financially since the club was taken over by a local businessman, Max Tshabalala. They lost their MTN sponsorship after alleged mismanagement was discovered at the club.

Last season they were slapped with a ban on signing players by FIFA. The Bloemfontein side had fired the Cameroonian goalkeeper and captain, Patrick Tignyemb, without a proper hearing after he was alleged to have disrespected management. However, the Cameroonian insists that he was expelled by the club for fighting for the late payment of his colleagues’ salaries and bonuses by the club. Their former coach Steve Komphela jumped ship after the club struggled to pay his salary and bonuses. Celtic will be forced to resort to their development players. Some of the players are still alleging that their salaries are still outstanding.

The club has already lost one of their best players in Neo Maema, the young attacking midfield maestro who has since joined Mamelodi Sundowns.

By Moeti Molelekoa, Welkom