Latest news with #Cele
The South African
7 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
'New Kaizer Chiefs signings bring real positivity'
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele has given his thoughts about Amakhosi's new signings. Cele joined the Glamour Boys in January and has already established himself as one of the top players at the club. In the seven months he's been with Chiefs, the 28-year-old midfield maestro has already won a trophy. Amakhosi have signed Thabiso Monyane, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Paseka Mako, Nkanyiso Shinga, Flavio Silva, and Ethan Chislett. All six of the new players were part of Kaizer Chiefs' pre-season training in the Netherlands. 'It was important for the new guys to come in, and we know that they are quality. They're going to add value to our team, and we need them,' said Cele as per FARPost . 'So, seeing what I've seen in training, I feel like they also understand the mission at hand. We've been gelling together beautifully, and there's positivity around the team, and not fake positivity, it's real. 'In the Netherlands, we played some difficult games, and we got tested. I feel like in those tests we became close, so we've spoken amongst ourselves and we know the missions for the next season,' Cele said. Kaizer Chiefs will be in action this weekend against Asante Kotoko in the Toyota Cup at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
7 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
'We're gelling together beautifully,' says Cele of Chiefs' new recruits before clash with Asante Kotoko
Thabo Cele is looking forward to what new Kaizer Chiefs recruits will bring in the coming season as he believes the club has signed quality players who will boost the fortunes of Amakhosi. Ethan Chislett, Flavio Silva, Nkanyiso Shinga, Thabiso Monyane, Paseka Mako and Siphesihle Ndovu are some of the new players Chiefs will have in the 2025-2026 season and Cele, who joined Chiefs in January, says they are all fitting what the club requires. 'It was important for the new guys to come in and we know they're quality and they're going to add value in our team,' said Cele before Chiefs' Toyota Cup friendly clash against Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. 'For me, seeing what I am seeing in my own perspective, I feel the new players also understand the mission. We are gelling beautifully and there's positivity around the team, not fake positivity. 'I feel it's real because in the Netherlands we had tough games and we got tested. It is in true tests that you really see and feel the team. I feel we became more together and we know the mission.
IOL News
25-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Chiefs looking at Toyota Cup to build team spirit
DURBAN-born Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele during training ahead of the Toyota Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. | BackpagePix Chiefs will continue to intensify their preparations for next season when they face Asante Kotoko of Ghana in the Toyota Cup at Moses Mabhida on Saturday (3pm). The results didn't go their way as they lost four games and won one. But that didn't matter as coach Nasreddine Nabi was pleased with the lessons learned. Chiefs recently returned from a two-week pre-season tour of the Netherlands where they tested themselves against Dutch outfits. Kaizer Chiefs' midfielder Thabo Cele has lifted the lid on the team's camaraderie and their chances of change of fortunes ahead of the upcoming Premier Soccer League season. Cele, who was speaking to Chiefs' media following a rousing welcome at King Shaka International Airport Thursday afternoon, explained what it meant to be back on home soil. 'It's a lot to dissect within a minute,' Cele said 'I'd say for me since I came back, it's been a blessed journey. We are looking forward for things to come as a team and as individuals. 'So, to be back at home, it's always a special feeling. The love I get here, I can't explain it. It's just something for the heart. 'It just drives you to go further, and do more - seek ways to do more. Coming from the Netherlands pre-season, there's togetherness and we want to fight.' Chiefs' army has been boosted by the club following the arrival of six players during the ongoing winter transfer window. These include Ethan Chislett, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Paseka Mako, Thabiso Monyane, Flavio Silva, and Nkanyiso Shinga. Having only Chislett, Monyane, Silva and Shinga flown out with the team to the Netherlands, Cele has described what it felt like to link up with Ndlovu and Mako as well. 'It was important for the new guys to come in,' Cele said. 'We know that they are going to add value to our team, and we need them. 'I feel like they also understand the mission at hand. I feel there's positivity in the team, and it's not fake positivity. It's real! 'In the Netherlands, we played some difficult games and got tested. Through being tested is where you become a team, so in those tests we become together more. 'We talk among ourselves about the mission of this season, so we know. So like l said, it's about every 90 minutes and getting those three points.'
The South African
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs Player Ratings: Who FIRED, who FLOPPED in Europe
Kaizer Chiefs have just completed their pre-season tour of Europe. Kaizer Chiefs rotated their squad throughout their recent tour of the Netherlands. So, some of them have left Amakhosi supporters with more questions than answers. Whilst, others put their hands up for future selection in Nasreddine Nabi's Chiefs squad. Naledi Hlongwane – 8/10 Hlongwane was the only Chiefs attacker to score across Chiefs five pre-season fixtures in the Netherlands. His solo strike was the winner in Chiefs 1-0 win over FC Zolle. This was also only win of their tour. He looked for work off the ball and played with energy and positivity. Nkonsigiphile Ngcobo – 8/10 Ngcobo brought composure to Amakhosi's midfield. He was calm on the ball and his decision-making was on point. He knew when to pass back and when to play a long through ball. So, he controlled the midfield. Thabo Cele – 7.5/10 Cele continues to be one of the most consistent players for Chiefs under Nabi. Throughout the tour, he was one of the most composed players on the park. Cele showcased razor sharp precise passing, composure on the ball and he provided the link between defence and attack. Flavio Silva – 4/10 Silva failed to score on tour for Chiefs. Not only that but the new striker signing did not take on defenders or take many shots. His poor performances on tour have fans comparing him to Christian Saille who was one of their recent striker signings who failed to impress. Nkanyiso Shinga – 5/10 Shinga was beaten frequently by opposition wingers throughout the tour. Thus, further sparking concerns for Chiefs on attack. Therefore, two of Chiefs' new signings struggled on tour. Both men are heading into the new season off the back of some frustrating performances. These men will have to up their game – substantially under Nabi next season. Finally, Ngcobo has revived his career at Chiefs. He was initially not in Nabi's plans for this season and was linked with a departure. However, these performances seemed to have save his Amakhosi career. Cele, on the other hand, showed us consistency and brought much-needed stability in the Chiefs midfield. Whilst, Hlongwane has shown plenty of promise as he starts his career with the first team. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Thabo Cele on Kaizer Chiefs' rebuilding journey under Nasreddine Nabi
RISE UP Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele has delivered an inspiring message to the Amakhosi faithful. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele says the team is fully embracing the rebuilding phase under head coach Nasreddine Nabi, as they aim to restore the club's former glory through patience, consistency and gradual progress. Cele, who returned to South Africa in January this year after nearly a decade in Europe, believes the foundations are being laid for sustained success — with the squad now more settled under Nabi, who is heading into his second season with the Soweto giants. 'With Kaizer Chiefs, there's so much potential to win the trophies,' Cele said during the Thabo Thalente Games launch in KwaMashu. 'So, for us as a team, we can say that we have become that (successful) team within the club, so we can win things. But for us, we just need to focus on things that we can do for now, so we can improve gradually as time goes on.' The 28-year-old joined Amakhosi as a free agent after parting ways with Russian outfit Fakel Voronezh. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Having left the country in 2016 to launch his professional career with Real SC in Portugal, Chiefs became his first club in the South African top flight. And it didn't take long for Cele to make his mark. Since arriving in January, the KwaMashu-born midfielder has made 15 appearances and played a key role in ending Amakhosi's decade-long trophy drought — helping the club lift the 2025 Nedbank Cup after edging arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in a dramatic final. 'Building is a process; for us, we need to focus and try to enjoy that process,' he added. 'It goes back to the fact that we love and enjoy what we're doing. All these difficulties we come across, we're just trying to make that process.' Chiefs have entered the 2025/26 pre-season with cautious optimism. After a rocky first campaign for Nabi, in which the team showed flashes of promise, the Tunisian mentor has been backed with new signings and time to implement his philosophy without the turbulence that derailed previous projects. As part of their preparations, Chiefs have jetted off to the Netherlands for a pre-season camp, where they've already tested themselves against Eredivisie clubs Vitesse and FC Utrecht. The trip is aimed at sharpening match fitness and further embedding Nabi's tactical ideas ahead of what promises to be a demanding season — both domestically and on the continent. Thanks to their Nedbank Cup triumph, the Glamour Boys will also return to CAF competition, participating in the Confederation Cup after a lengthy absence from the continental stage. For Cele, the project is taking shape, and the mood in the camp suggests a unified belief in what's being built at Naturena. 'We're just trying to make that process,' he said. 'Step by step.' With a trophy already secured and continental football back on the agenda, Chiefs are quietly plotting their resurgence — one layer at a time.
