Bloemfontein Celtic

Born in 1969 as Mangaung United, founded by Norman Mathobisa and Victor Mahatane at the height of apartheid. In 1984, businessman Petrus Molemela bought the club and named it after Glasgow Celtic, inheriting the green and white hoops. It became Phunya Sele Sele, and its supporters, the Siwelele, grew into legend: a stand that sings from first minute to last made Celtic one of South Africa's most loved clubs, despite a modest honours list with no league titles and cups such as the 1985 Mainstay Cup and the 2012 Telkom Knockout. In 2021, financially strangled, the club sold its league status to Royal AM and left the Free State in mourning. Revival attempts have not stopped since.