BREAKING NEWS
Sundowns Snatch Cele From Chiefs Scrapheap As Yellow Nation Lands New Midfield Face
Thabo Cele is yellow. Mamelodi Sundowns have completed the signing of the former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder on a free transfer, adding European-tested depth to Miguel Cardoso’s engine room.
The club framed the arrival in familiar Chloorkop language: “The Yellow Nation has a new face! Join us in welcoming Thabo Cele as the latest addition to Bafana Ba Style.”
Cele, 29, became available after a mutual contract termination at Naturena on Monday. Chiefs had already left him out of their pre-season tour to Spain and shifted midfield plans after signing Tanzania international Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko.
Sundowns moved quickly, agreeing a two-year deal with an option to extend. Born in KwaMashu on 15 January 1997, Cele left South Africa as a teenager and spent nearly a decade in Europe. He played for Real SC, Benfica B, and Cova da Piedade in Portugal, then Radomiak Radom in Poland and Fakel Voronezh in Russia, before returning home to join Chiefs in January 2025.
In 18 months at Amakhosi he made more than 30 appearances and was part of the side that won the Nedbank Cup.
For Sundowns, the signing is about options as much as names. Cardoso already has Teboho Mokoena, Marcelo Allende, Bathusi Aubaas, Sphelele Mkhulise, Gomolemo Kekana, and Tsiki Ntsabeleng. Cele gives him another midfielder who can sit, carry the ball, and cover ground across a long domestic and continental calendar.
The Brazilians have been active in the market, with Deano van Rooyen also arriving this week. Cele’s unveiling is the latest statement that the champions intend to keep stacking the squad rather than stand still.
He now trades Soweto black and gold for Pretoria yellow. The welcome message from the club was simple. The Yellow Nation has a new face.