Meshack Motloung

Meshack Motloung

In an effort to secure a spot in the Telkom Charity Cup, Bloemfontein Celtic are appealing to churches in the Free State to vote for them.

The Bloemfontein outfit, who are now in third spot after outvoting Kaizer Chiefs, are determined to defend their title at Mmabatho Stadium in Mafikeng on August 2.

Phunya Selesele spokesman Sello Nduna says they deserve to be in the competition because they are the defending champions.

"We appeal to church people all over the Free State to ask their congregants to vote for Celtic," Selesele says.

"We would like churchgoers to be part of this event because it is for a worthy cause.

"We're also determined to outclass the Gauteng Big Three -Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns with votes.

"We promise to retain the trophy we won last year. The fact that we triumphed at Mmabatho Stadium shows we're capable of doing it again."

He says that last year they hired 100 buses to ferry supporters to this one-day tournament. Nduna said he hopes that the number would double this time round.

Pirates are still leading the voting charts and have vowed to retain the lead until the voting lines close in July.

Late yesterday Pirates were leading the pack with 7355 votes. They were followed by Sundowns who garnered 6996 votes. Third was Celtic with 6927, followed by AmaZulu with 6738 votes, Chiefs are fifth with 6376 votes and Swallows are sixth with a disappointing 591 votes.