Kaizer Chiefs may come to regret allowing Thabo Cele to leave the club, particularly given their current lack of a genuine ball-playing midfielder.
Amakhosi terminated Cele’s contract by mutual agreement following “constructive discussions” between both parties. The decision paved the way for the 28-year-old midfielder to join Mamelodi Sundowns as a free agent.
The KwaMashu-born midfielder joined Chiefs in January 2025 after gaining valuable experience in Europe and with the South African national team. He made his debut for Amakhosi in the Soweto Derby the following month.
During his 18 months at the club, Cele made 36 appearances across domestic and CAF competitions and helped Chiefs win the Nedbank Cup just four months after his arrival.
Why Kaizer Chiefs need a replacement for Cele
The biggest concern for Chiefs is not necessarily Cele’s departure itself, but the type of player they have lost.
Cele is comfortable on the ball and has the ability to dictate the tempo of a match. He can receive possession under pressure, move the ball forward and help his team control the midfield.
That profile is currently missing from the Chiefs squad.
Sphesihle Ndlovu, Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Adolf Mataswingwa offer more defensive qualities in midfield, but the Glamour Boys lack a midfielder who can consistently dictate play while also contributing further up the pitch.
Chiefs therefore need someone capable of playing as a genuine box-to-box midfielder, a player who can win possession, progress the ball and arrive late in the opposition box.
That is why the decision to part ways with Edson Castillo could also come back to haunt the club.
The Venezuela international spent two seasons at Chiefs and, despite some inconsistencies, showed exactly the qualities the current squad appears to be missing. Castillo has since returned to his native Venezuela, where he is playing for Carabobo.
Kaizer Chiefs could consider bringing him back as a potential replacement for Cele.
Castillo’s ability to make late runs into the box and his aerial presence would give Amakhosi another dimension in attack, while his physicality and work rate would also complement the more defensive midfielders already at the club.
The Glamour Boys have made their decision on Cele, but they now need to make sure they replace what he brought to the team.
Otherwise, letting a player of his profile join Sundowns for nothing could prove to be a costly mistake.