Sukazi: I feel Celtic supporters’ pain
On the purchase of Bloemfontein Celtic
I think I have said it that we have secured the necessary agreement and I went as far as saying all that remains now is for us to fulfil all the conditions in terms of the agreement, as you know that they are time-based. Therefore, it is now for us to furnish the guarantee, the financial guarantee, by the 31st of May 2020. Thereafter we will then file an application with the National Executive Committee of the Premier Soccer League. When we obtain their approval, it is only then that we can say the sale is fully completed and that we are the rightful owners of the PSL status of Bloemfontein Celtic.
On whether the team will remain in Bloem
You know what, TS Galaxy is not based in Bloemfontein and when we buy the PSL franchise of another team, we will convert into a PSL franchise of TS Galaxy. Now we are based in Mpumalanga and that will not change. The minute everything of the sale is done, the name and the status will change to TS Galaxy, which is the condition of the sale. There is no South African fan or football lover who can expect me to wake up tomorrow wearing a different colour. I am the TS Galaxy president and our colours are red – that won’t change.
On his ambition for the club
For starters, as a matter of fact, TS Galaxy are the reigning champions of the Nedbank Cup as matters stand today and we will go down in history as the longest reigning Nedbank Cup champions. We went as far as declaring 18 May the National TS Galaxy Day because it is the day in which we achieved the impossible, by winning the South African FA Cup beating the mighty Kaizer Chiefs. It should remain like that until another lower division club wins the Nedbank Cup. So, coming to the ambition, the message was sent already, very loud and clear, when we annexed the cup that this is not just another club, but also a club that will be a highly recognizable asset for South African football. Therefore, it is the reason why we want to get to the Absa Premiership as soon as possible because, in my humble opinion, it does not serve South Africa well to have such an asset like TS Galaxy languishing in the GladAfrica Championship when it’s got everything that is required for a topflight club. I think it will serve South Africa well to have TS Galaxy playing in the Absa Premiership than in the lower division, hence this move of trying to acquire the status of Bloemfontein Celtic. So, to the supporters of the club, not only in Mpumalanga because by winning the Nedbank Cup, we have won many hearts across the country, although yes, Mpumalanga is our stronghold, especially Ndebele… I am saying to all the fans of this young and vibrant brand that we are doing everything possible to get a status in the Absa Premiership because our fans have ensured that we become the club that we have become, because they pushed us to the limit. I am, however, glad to say that we never disappointed them because we won the Nedbank Cup and represented SA in the continent (CAF Confederation Cup), becoming the first ever lower division team to play in the competition as champions of the cup. That was historic. We are doing all that for them and we are putting every measure in place to ensure that it becomes a success. I have no doubt we will achieve great things as we have done in our first eight months.
On Khenyeza as a young coach
If the sale does go through, as we expect it, I would love to see Mabhudi Khenyeza becoming one of the youngest coaches in the PSL. I say so because, as TS Galaxy, we need to show that our SA coaches are highly capable. The talent of our coaches should be considered. In countries like Germany and Spain, season in and season out, they (young coaches) come up and are thrown into the deep end and they do well. Why can’t South Africa do the same?
On what will happen to Celtic players
The players coming over as a result of the purchase is one of the conditions. It is a condition without which the sale cannot go on. We welcomed that as TS Galaxy because Celtic have a very credible squad. They have a very good team and, secondly, the opportunity to merge the two teams from a playing point of view would be great and we can come up with a formidable team. TS Galaxy have good young players and when they merge into a very seasoned squad, it will be exciting. By the way, a sale like this, in my view, can be a very good solution to the financial difficulties the club has been experiencing. Season after season, the club was made a laughing stock and it is not good for the team and the supporters. These players will now not be subjected to all that. You cannot blame the owner – running a football club is no child’s play. When it comes to a point where he cannot go on, he is entitled to sell it.
On the Siwelele supporters
Personally, I do feel the pain of Celtic supporters in Bloemfontein. It is not very nice to lose a club that you are used to watching in your own backyard, so to speak. That is the reason why I personally called upon anyone from Bloemfontein or from the Free State as a province who has what it takes to acquire the status of Bloemfontein Celtic and keep it in Bloemfontein. That was always my first preference. However, if there is no such person, TS Galaxy can never be precluded from acquiring the status of Bloemfontein Celtic when we are looking for one. Even now, I am still waiting for that person to raise their hands. Phakamisa isandla sikubone (Raise your hand so we can see you), put your money where your mouth is, acquire the status. We are coming, as TS Galaxy, on the basis that there is no person from Free State or Bloemfontein to acquire the status. Now I recognise that there are supporters and, personally, I have been an admirer of Celtic supporters for many years. From our point of view, if TS Galaxy were to be successful in acquiring the status, we will make sure that their interests are well catered for. In fact, they will be high-ranking on my list of priorities. I will embark on a number of stakeholder engagements and they will be on top of radius planning for that purpose. They need to be engaged because engaging can bring about solutions. I also want to design and come up with something special for them. I also don’t want them to be lost in football. They have been a very good stakeholder. Once all is in order, I will sit and engage with them. They belong to the game. They cannot be lost to the game.