Thabo Cele has reflected on the challenging final months of his time at Kaizer Chiefs, revealing how he remained focused on his career before securing a move to Mamelodi Sundowns.
The midfielder has enjoyed a positive start at Chloorkop, winning the FIFA African-Asian Pacific Cup and the MTN8 since joining the Tshwane club. His early success comes after a difficult spell at Naturena, where his role in the first team gradually diminished.
Cele joined Sundowns as a free agent ahead of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season after ending his 18-month association with Amakhosi.
From Nedbank Cup Hero to Uncertain Future at Naturena
Cele arrived at Kaizer Chiefs in January 2025 and quickly became part of a squad that ended the club’s decade-long wait for silverware by winning the Nedbank Cup that year.
During his spell with Amakhosi, the 29-year-old made 36 appearances across all competitions. However, his situation changed as he gradually fell out of favour.
His difficulties became more apparent before the current campaign when he was left out of Chiefs’ pre-season tour to Spain, raising questions about his position within the squad.
Fernando Da Cruz Reassured Cele’s Future Was Still Open
After Chiefs returned from Spain, head coach Fernando Da Cruz publicly indicated that Cele remained part of his plans.
Despite that reassurance, the midfielder continued training away from the first-team group, leaving him in an uncertain position as the new season approached.
Cele eventually departed the club and completed his switch to Sundowns, giving him an opportunity to move forward after a frustrating period in Johannesburg.
Cele Says Hard Work Helped Him Ignore Outside Distractions
Reflecting on his journey, Cele explained that maintaining his work ethic and refusing to be distracted by events beyond his control had been central to his approach.
“For me, it’s always been about continuing to work hard and forgetting the distractions that are outside. Growing up, I always wanted to find myself,” he said.
The midfielder also described his arrival at Sundowns as an important step in his career, saying the opportunity had given him fresh motivation to improve.
“I always wanted to be in this kind of situation, and being here at Sundowns is massive—it is a huge motivation to go to the next level,” Cele added.
Two Trophies Offer a Fresh Start at Sundowns
Cele’s move to Chloorkop has already brought tangible success, with the midfielder collecting two trophies since joining the club.
Winning the FIFA African-Asian Pacific Cup and the MTN8 has provided a promising beginning to his Sundowns career after the uncertainty surrounding his final months at Chiefs.
The trophies also mark a new chapter for a player who had previously helped Amakhosi end their long wait for a major honour.
Midfielder Chooses to Focus on What Comes Next
Cele acknowledged that his experience at Chiefs was part of the unpredictable nature of a football career, describing the difficult period as one stage in a longer journey.
“For me, football is like life; it’s a journey that has difficult seasons. So going through what I went through and being here now is the same thing. I’m just pushing myself and focusing on what comes next,” he said.
Rather than dwell on the circumstances surrounding his departure, Cele appears determined to build on his early success with Sundowns and continue developing as a player.
His immediate challenge will be to establish himself in the Tshwane club’s squad and turn his promising start into sustained performances during the 2026/27 campaign.
Cele Moves Forward After a Turbulent Chiefs Spell
Cele’s experience highlights the contrasting fortunes he has encountered at two of South Africa’s biggest football clubs. At Chiefs, he contributed to a historic cup triumph before experiencing a difficult period on the fringes of the first team. At Sundowns, he has begun his new chapter with two trophies.
For now, the midfielder’s stated priority is to keep working hard and concentrate on future opportunities rather than the setbacks he experienced at Naturena.
Related story: Why Thabo Cele wanted to play for Kaizer Chiefs
