The football feast that has been enjoyed by Bloemfontein-based football lovers is set to continue, with two big upcoming matches pencilled in for the soccer-mad region.
It was a sad day for the people of Bloem when Bloemfontein Celtic sold their topflight status to Royal AM prior to the beginning of the 2021/22 season, leaving the club’s supporters emotionally stranded as Siwelele vanished into the night.
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However, a ray of sunshine emerged when Marumo Gallants, also using the club status sale route as Swallows FC were elbowed out in June 2024, resurfaced in the top division and immediately set plans in motion to take their home games to the Free State.
Needless to say, locals embraced this move as evidenced by bums on seats during Gallants matches, specifically those against the Big Three.
More good news, perhaps hitting even closer to home, followed just prior to the beginning of the current season as Bloemfontein Celtic, albeit under the name Siwelele FC, were announced to have bought the status of SuperSport United in the league.
The club’s first game of the season, against Golden Arrows at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on 9 August, was sold out – a rarity for any PSL club outside of the Big Three bracket considering the profile of opposition.
Now, with Bafana Bafana having played a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in the Free State in June last year, and head coach Hugo Broos waxing lyrical about the atmosphere created on the night as his troops won 3-1, there is double delight of national team football on the horizon.
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First up, Lesotho have taken their home World Cup qualifier against Bafana to the Free State Stadium on 5 September, with kick-off at 18:00.
This makes logical sense for the 'host nation' as a drive from Maseru to Bloemfontein, via the N8, takes approximately two hours.
Then, the much-awaited grudge match between rivals South Africa and Nigeria will also take place at the same venue four days later.
That match also has a 18:00 kick-off.
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
