Bloemfontein and the Free State will get to enjoy Premier Soccer League action during the 2024/25 domestic season.

It has been confirmed that Marumo Gallants has officially bought the PSL status of Moroka Swallows and this sale has been ratified by the league.

This means a return to the top-flight of domestic football for Gallants, while by the same token the club while be playing their home games in Bloemfontein. It is however unclear if the club will relocate to the city.

This was meant to happen for the 2023/24 season, however, due to a string of poor results at the backend of the previous campaign, Gallants were relegated to the National First Division.

The club confirmed the purchase of the Dube Birds and their relocation to the City of Roses.

“Following the final approval of the Premier Soccer League,(PSL) today, Marumo Gallants Football Club officially confirms the acquisition of Moroka Swallows Football Club.

“Gallants will take over Swallows with immediate effect. The club also confirms that home games for the upcoming season will be played in Bloemfontein, Free State.

“Gallants will provide more details of plans once staff, technical teams and players have been addressed. At this stage the club will not be issuing further comments or taking interviews – a date will be communicated for a press briefing that will take place shortly.”

Gallants have previously played home games in Bloemfontein, and the then Bloemfontein Celtic faithful adopted the team as their own, and during this matches hearing ‘Marumo Celtic’ chanted by the passionate supporters was not uncommon.

The Bloemfontein Celtic supporters are somewhat sceptical about the whole deal and at this stage they don't want to get there hopes up. They have after all seen this movie before.

Earlier in the month, Bafana Bafana, hosted Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and if the turn out to this game is anything to go by, Gallants, will be welcomed with open arms.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport