Lehlohonolo Seema returns home as Siwelele rise from the ashes

In a twist seemingly scripted for the romance of South African football, Lehlohonolo Seema has returned to where it all began — not to marshal the defence, but to call the shots from the dugout.

The former Bloemfontein Celtic captain has been appointed head coach of Siwelele FC, the newly formed side rising from the purchase of SuperSport United’s Betway Premiership status. 

Pending league approval, the team will relocate to the Free State capital, where football hearts have long ached for the return of their beloved green and white.

For Seema, this is more than just a coaching job. It’s home. It's a legacy.

Since retiring, Seema has taken the scenic route to Bloemfontein’s technical area — weathering boardroom chaos at Chippa United, pushing young talent at Golden Arrows, and steering Sekhukhune United into the Top 4 before a surprise parting of ways in March this year. 

Now, the 44-year-old is on the cusp of leading a reborn institution with deep cultural and emotional roots.

It’s important to note that Siwelele FC is not Bloemfontein Celtic. Legally, structurally, and historically — they are different. But in spirit, they’ve already captured the hearts of Celtic fans in the city, who are expected to fill the stands and rally behind the team. 

For many in Mangaung, this is the closest thing to closure since the club’s painful sale and relocation to KwaZulu-Natal in 2021.

Talks are ongoing behind the scenes to ensure a smooth transition from Pretoria to Bloemfontein. 

Efforts are being made to retain large parts of SuperSport United’s technical and academy structure — a crucial piece of the puzzle if the new entity is to carry any of Matsatsantsa’s developmental strength.

In a move that speaks volumes, SuperSport CEO Stan Matthews — the man who ran Matsatsantsa with stability and a clear football identity for many years — publicly welcomed Seema to the job. It’s a gesture that underlines continuity rather than disruption. 

Although the club has changed hands, the intention is to preserve the SuperSport model, even as new chairman Calvin Le John steps into the leadership role.

Still, blending that with the passion and culture of Celtic’s old support base is no easy task.The city’s football lovers have long waited for a second chance. 

They’ve been forced into supporting distant causes or have disconnected entirely since the club’s exit. The return of a team — with their old captain at the helm — offers a flicker of hope. Now, the question is whether Seema can unite the past and present. A captain turned coach. A club reborn. 

A city on standby. It’s a delicate balancing act — but if anyone understands what that green jersey means, it’s him.