Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande believes Amakhosi may have been better off keeping Thabo Cele for another season.
Cele joined Chiefs in January 2025 and spent 18 months with the club before departing during the recent transfer window. Mamelodi Sundowns moved quickly to secure the midfielder, adding another high-profile player to their squad.
Katsande, who knows the demands of playing in the Chiefs midfield, praised Cele’s quality and admitted he was surprised to see the club part ways with him.
“Personally, I thought he was brilliant for us. I liked his game a lot. He is a top-quality midfielder, there is no doubt about that,” Katsande told FARPost.
Katsande believes Chiefs had time to reconsider
While acknowledging that clubs must regularly assess their squads at the end of a season, Katsande suggested Chiefs could have used pre-season to take another look at Cele before making a final decision.
“Football is like that. At the end of the season, the club has to sit down, review, and decide which direction they want to go,” he said.
“Once that decision is made, these things can happen.”
Chiefs subsequently brought in Tanzanian midfielder Adolf Mtaswinga, although he has yet to establish himself as a key player for the Soweto giants.
Chiefs facing midfield questions
Cele’s departure could become more significant if Chiefs encounter further injury problems in midfield.
Lebohang Maboe has been among the team’s standout performers this season, but he was substituted during the recent goalless draw against Golden Arrows. Although the injury does not appear to be serious, any prolonged absence could leave Chiefs short of experienced midfield options.
The result against Arrows also extended Chiefs’ recent run of dropped points, with Amakhosi taking seven points from their last five matches.
With Mamelodi Sundowns setting the pace at the top of the table, the pressure is growing on Chiefs to find consistency.
For Katsande, the bigger question is whether Chiefs could eventually regret allowing Cele to leave — particularly after seeing the midfielder join a direct domestic rival.
Do you think Kaizer Chiefs should have kept Thabo Cele for another season?
