Bloem Celtic identity crisis: revival or rivalry?

Now that the dust has settled and Super Sport United's demise is officially confirmed, it's time to address the elephant in the room. Will the real Bloemfontein Celtic please stand up? The curious state of affairs in trying to revive the club would be funny if it wasn't this confusing to all football lovers in the Free State province.

- Katlego Modiba

The PSL status formerly held by United has been acquired by a new entity, Siwelele FC, backed by a Bloemfontein-based consortium led by Calvin Le John, son of Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie.

The club is set to play its 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign out of Lucas Moripe Stadium in Tshwane, and despite the change in location, it is already positioning itself as the spiritual successor to the original Celtic.

McKenzie has publicly shared his family's emotional connection to the club, with the outspoken sports minister once revealing, "The only time my father hugged me was when Celtic scored a goal."

While the minister insists he will not interfere in club matters while in office, his influence looms large over the project.