Kabelo Tlhabanelo
Six Bloemfontein Celtic supporters, including famous football fan Botha Msila, have undertaken an epic 65 kilometre trek to save the football they have loved since they were children.
The monumental walk began in Bloemfontein and took the N8 national road to Thaba Nchu in the Free State.
“I have blisters on my feet but I’m not complaining. This is a long walk to take Bloemfontein Celtic back,” said Msila Msila, who made international news when he hitchhiked from Cape Town to Cairo during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
“The walk was to create awareness for our trust fund to buy Celtic. We managed to get attention and I feel the objective has been achieved,” he told Scrolla.Africa.
He thanked the taxi drivers that saw them walking and offered them water.
Another participant Velile Notito said he drove from his home in Welkom to meet the others in Bloemfontein.
“I have a big belly and weigh about 107 kilograms. Many doubted that I would manage to walk the [65] kilometres. My legs are now killing me but I am planning to get myself new sneakers.”
The supporters said there will be many more long walks to come and encouraged Celtic fans to join them.
Lebagang Smith said: “My furthest until today was 22 kilometres – when I go job hunting and come back home.”
Noah Poonyane said he was proud to be one of the participants.
“When we arrived, the host organised some meals and the branches came with the donations they had received. Locals were asked for R20 to join us at the gathering.”
They said they will be looking at a walking distance of between 50 and 70 kilometres range when they change their starting point and destination next time.
Taxi driver Motswaledi Sempe said he was happy to help them with water.
“I am a businessman who saw an opportunity to do it because it’s an investment. If the team comes back, I will have supporters in my taxi to the stadium,” he said.
Image source: @NoahPoonyane
