Kaizer Chiefs Slammed for Letting South African Star Leave for PSL Rivals
- Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande has spoken out about the club's decision to release Thabo Cele after 18 months
- Mamelodi Sundowns moved quickly to secure the South African star's signature after the Glamour Boys let him go a few weeks ago
- Katsande raised concerns about how Cele's absence could expose Amakhosi amid their current run of poor form in the Betway Premiership
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Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande has criticised Amakhosi's decision to part ways with Thabo Cele, describing it as a misstep that could cost the club dearly as the season progresses.
Cele, 28, arrived at Chiefs in January 2025 and spent 18 months at the club before being released a few weeks ago. His exit was followed swiftly by a move to rivals Mamelodi Sundowns, a development that has drawn sharp reaction from Katsande.
"Personally, I thought he was brilliant for us. I liked his game a lot, to be honest. He is a top-quality midfielder; there is no doubt about that," Katsande told FARPost.
Chiefs sign Tanzanian replacement after Cele exit
Following Cele's departure, Amakhosi moved to bring in Tanzanian midfielder Adolf Mtaswinga as a replacement. However, the new signing has struggled to settle into South African football and is yet to make a meaningful impression at the club.
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Katsande acknowledged that personnel decisions of this nature are part of the game, but suggested Chiefs had sufficient time during pre-season to reconsider.
"But 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. Once that decision is made, these things can happen," he said.
Kaizer Chiefs' form raises alarm
The timing of the critique comes as Amakhosi endure a difficult patch in the league. The club has drawn four of their last fixtures, collecting only seven points from a possible 15. A goalless stalemate against Golden Arrows at the weekend has left them seven points adrift of log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Concerns over the club's midfield depth are growing, particularly after Lebohang Maboe, who has been one of Chiefs' standout performers this season, was substituted during the Arrows match. Though the injury did not appear serious, the situation has highlighted the risk of operating with limited cover in the engine room.
Should any further midfield injuries arise in the coming weeks, Cele's absence could prove even more costly for a side already struggling to close the gap on the league's frontrunners.
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Source: Briefly News
