In advance of Marumo Gallants' Betway Premiership opener against Kaizer Chiefs, KickOff has established the latest regarding the club's bid to acquire the Bloemfontein Celtic name.
Following Gallants' restructuring and relocation to the Free State, this website previously reported that Gallants were in the process of engaging Tshabalala to buy the Celtic name.
During their launch last month, the previously Limpopo-based outfit adopted the green and white colours of Celtic and revealed a new moniker, 'Siwelele Sa Marumo'.
Gallants plans to start their season as Bloemfontein Celtic after they agreed to the demands of Siwelele supporters who threatened to reject the club if they did not adopt and affiliate with the Celtic name.
Negotiations with Tshabalala, however, proved difficult.
Before Gallants acquired the naming rights, Celtic's boss, who did not sell the trademark name after selling the club's Premiership status to Royal AM in 2021, wanted R5 million to relinquish the rights.
He has, however, allegedly demanded shares in the new establishment after Marumo expressed interest in buying the trademark name and raised the price.
On Sunday, Gallants held a meeting at Dr Molemela Stadium Indoor, attended by dignitaries such as Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, Mangaung's Executive Mayor Gregory Nthatisi, and prominent businessman Mr Ben Moseme, among others.
A key topic on the agenda was feedback on the Celtic name negotiation between Gallants and the NEC with Tshabalala.
Tshabalala has resolved that the name 'Bloemfontein Celtic' will not be sold and will be used by his ABC Motsepe League team, according to the minutes of the meeting.
Having defected to Gallants and put pressure on them to find a name that represents the City of Roses, Siwelele Sa Marumo will have to find an alternative name to replace Marumo Gallants.
As Bloemfontein Celtic are campaigning in the ABC Motsepe League, there will be questions and issues of allegiance, especially if the team rises up the divisions in the country.
