Thabo Cele’s spell at Kaizer Chiefs has ended after 18 months with the Soweto giants. The midfielder leaves the club following discussions that resulted in an agreement between both parties.
Cele can now consider his next move after falling outside the club’s plans for the upcoming season. His departure brings an end to a brief but memorable chapter with one of South Africa’s biggest clubs.
From Soweto Derby debut to trophy triumph
Kaizer Chiefs signed Cele in January 2025 after his spell with Russian Premier League outfit Fakel Voronezh. The KwaMashu-born midfielder agreed to a three-and-a-half-year contract with Amakhosi.
He had already spent nearly 10 years developing his career across European leagues. Cele made his Chiefs debut against Orlando Pirates during the Soweto Derby in February 2025.
He quickly settled into the midfield and became an influential presence for the team. His standout moment arrived during the Nedbank Cup semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Cele delivered a strong display as Chiefs defeated Sundowns and secured their place in the final.
Consequently, he helped the club reach the final just months after joining. Four months into his Chiefs career, Cele celebrated his first major trophy with the club.
However, his fortunes changed during the following campaign. Tactical adjustments and increased competition gradually reduced his opportunities in the Chiefs midfield. He eventually finished the 2025/26 season with 21 appearances across all competitions.
Chiefs move on as Cele searches for another challenge
The situation became clearer during preparations for the new campaign. New head coach Fernando da Cruz did not include Cele in the squad for the pre-season tour of Spain.
The midfielder subsequently dropped out of the club’s first-team plans. Kaizer Chiefs later confirmed that Cele’s exit followed “constructive discussions between both parties.”
The agreement leaves Cele free to negotiate his next career move. Chiefs also thanked the midfielder for his contribution during his time at Naturena.
“We thank ‘Induna Yendawo’ for his commitment during his time at Kaizer Chiefs,” the club said.
“We wish him the very best in his future career,” the club added.
Cele now faces another important decision after a career that has taken him across several European countries. He began his football journey at the KZN Academy before attracting attention from overseas. At only 18, he moved to Portugal in 2016 and joined third-tier club Real S.C. His performances soon earned him an opportunity with Portuguese giants S.L. Benfica.
Cele featured within Benfica’s development structures while also returning to Real S.C. on loan. He later joined Cova da Piedade in 2018, competing in Portugal’s second division. That move became an important stage in his development as a deep-lying midfielder.
Cele eventually made more than 100 appearances across three seasons with the Portuguese club. He then moved to Poland in October 2021, joining Radomiak Radom. The midfielder signed a two-year contract with the Ekstraklasa outfit.
His performances in Poland subsequently created another pathway into a major European league. In August 2023, Cele completed his move to Russia by joining Fakel Voronezh. Now, after leaving Kaizer Chiefs, the experienced midfielder must decide where the next chapter begins.
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