Free State businessman Edward Napo Modise has offered an update on the potential return of Bloemfontein Celtic, having reportedly bought the club’s naming rights for R5 million.
Known as ‘Bra Eddie’ in Bloemfontein, Modise recently acquired the intellectual property for the name and is now negotiating to purchase a club’s status to revive the team.
Modise is on record as saying he is “absolutely certain” that a deal with one of the clubs would be finalised before the new season. He obtained the Celtic trading name from former owner Max Tshabalala. The change in name ownership will be effective from the end of this season.
Celtic vanished from professional South African football before the 2021/22 season when Tshabalala sold the top-flight status to businesswoman and socialite Shauwn Mkhize in August 2021. Although Tshabalala kept the iconic name and trademarks, Mkhize renamed the club Royal AM, relocated it to Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, and largely inherited the Celtic squad.
The transaction ultimately led to the demise of Siwelele, the beloved Celtic supporters, and a South African football institution rich in tradition. Following Mkhize’s struggles with the taxman, Royal AM has likewise vanished, having been expunged from the Betway Premiership.
WHAT UPDATE DID EDWARD MODISE GIVE ON BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC’S RETURN
“As everybody knows, there was an outcry for Bloemfontein Celtic, and we felt that we should come on board and see what we can do, and then we did exactly what people needed…,” he told Radio 2000. He added: “There are people involved as well who were supportive to me who are going to be part of that…”
Modise confirmed that Tshabalala, a “family friend,” gave his “blessing” during their naming rights agreement.
The director of Property 2000 outlined his strategy to begin the team in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. He believes starting in the second tier offers ample time to rebuild Phunya Sele Sele into a formidable force.
“We’re negotiating with some teams especially my wish even though I know most of the people want to see the team back in the PSL … but the strategy that will work better is when we start in the NFD [national first division] which is actually a professional league as well,” he said.
“The vision to start a little bit lower is to get yourself together, to get the confidence of the players. If you start at the top, the only way is down…”
Modise has previously indicated that their proposals to NFD clubs are irresistible. The acquisition cost for an NFD status generally falls between R8 million and R15 million.
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