Transfer-listed Bloemfontein Celtic midfielder Lantshene Phalane is expected to resume training with the first team this week, after he was demoted to train with the development side as punishment for allegedly coming to training smelling of alcohol.
“Phalane will join the first team this week after three weeks with the development team. He came to training smelling of alcohol last month … and that didn’t sit well with the management, hence he was relegated to the development team as punishment,’’ a source said.
The source also disclosed that Phalane was undergoing therapy aimed at rehabilitating him.
In January, then Celtic CEO Khumbulani Konco told the media that Phalane was still transfer-listed, despite his great form at the time which saw him win Man of the Match award against Mamelodi Sundowns.
“The boy is trying to get his act together. He’s seeing some therapists, hoping he can be helped with his drinking problem. Chairman Max Tshabalala not only likes him but he also believes in him as well that’s partly the reason why he is still in the team,” the source noted.
On the positive side, former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane has signed a new two-year contract with Bloemfontein Celtic‚ with an option for a further year‚ his agent Jazzman Mahlakgane has revealed.
This could keep the experienced 33-year-old Bafana Bafana international at Phunya Sele Sele until he is 36 years old.
“We have renewed for another two years with an option for a year with Celtic‚ which they signed on Monday‚” Mahlakgane said on Tuesday.
Mabokgwane signed for Celtic from Pirates on a free transfer in July 2019.
He started 19 games and came on as a substitute once in Phunya Sele Sele’s 30 Premiership matches in 2019-20. This campaign has played 12 of their 20 league fixtures‚ once as a substitute.
