Kaizer Chiefs Snub Midfield Star Thabo Cele for Spain Training Camp

Kaizer Chiefs fly to Spain, midfield star left behind in Johannesburg ================

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The Amakhosi flew out on Thursday to begin preparations for the 2026/27 season, leaving midfielder Thabo Cele behind in Johannesburg. The 29-year-old's omission from the pre-season tour has sparked fresh doubts about his future at the club.

Thabo Cele, a seasoned midfielder, has been a key player for Kaizer Chiefs since joining the club in January 2025. He signed a three-and-a-half-year contract after mutually agreeing to terminate his deal with Russian club Fakel Voronezh due to a family matter. Before returning to South Africa, Cele built an impressive career across Europe, representing Real SC, Benfica B, and Cova da Piedade in Portugal, and Radomiak Radom in Poland. He also earned valuable international experience, representing South Africa at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, captaining the Under-23 side at the Tokyo Olympics, and later earning senior caps for Bafana Bafana.

However, his natural midfield controller style of play seemed ill-fitting for the high-running and fre-flowing South African game. He made 17 league appearances and impressed supporters with his calm distribution, positional awareness, and leadership. But his omission from the club's pre-season tour has intensified speculation over his long-term future at Kaizer Chiefs. Cele and his representatives have already started exploring potential options for his next move.

Attention will now shift to whether Cele remains at Naturena or secures a move elsewhere before the transfer window closes. The 29-year-old has already started exploring potential options for his next move, casting further doubt on his future at the club.

A Kaizer Chiefs source has confirmed that assistant coach Fernando Da Cruz will oversee a series of friendly matches during the pre-season tour. The club has kept the reasons for Cele's omission private, fueling speculation about his future.

The South African football community is eagerly watching the situation unfold, and many fans are wondering what this means for the club's midfield dynamics. Will Cele remain at Kaizer Chiefs, or will he secure a move elsewhere before the transfer window closes?

As the news breaks, supporters are taking to social media to express their concerns and speculate about the midfielder's future. What do you think? Will Thabo Cele stay at Kaizer Chiefs, or is it time for a new chapter in his career?