Latest news with #ThaboCele
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Toyota Cup heartbreak for Chiefs in penalty defeat to Kotoko
KAIZER Chiefs midfielders Thabo Cele and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo compete with Emmanuel Antwi of Asante Kotoko during 2025 Toyota Cup match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. | BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Kaizer Chiefs closed off their pre-season with a 3-2 penalty shootout defeat to Ghanaian powerhouse Asante Kotoko in the Toyota Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening. It was a frustrating end to a match in which Amakhosi dominated large spells but failed to convert their superiority into goals, eventually succumbing in front of a capacity crowd in Durban—one of the club's spiritual homes. The encounter ended goalless in regulation time despite promising signs, especially in the first half where Chiefs controlled proceedings. New recruits Nkanyiso Shinga, Thabiso Monyane and Flavio Silva were handed starts, with expectations high ahead of the new Betway Premiership campaign. Midfield maestro Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, trusted by coach Nasreddine Nabi, ran the show alongside Thabo Cele as Chiefs zipped the ball around with confidence. However, the lack of a cutting edge upfront kept Kotoko in the contest. After the break, Nabi introduced Pule Mmodi, Mduduzi Shabalala and Wandile Duba in place of Cele, Mfundo Vilakazi and Silva. Mmodi immediately added spark to the attack, gliding past his marker before teeing up Glody Lilepo, whose poor first touch saw the chance vanish. Chiefs appeared destined for a late winner when Mmodi was brought down inside the box in the 84th minute, earning a penalty. But defender Inacio Miguel sent his effort wide, leaving the thousands in attendance stunned. With the match deadlocked at 0-0 after 90 minutes, penalties were needed to settle the tie. Chiefs missed three of their five spot kicks, and Kotoko made no mistake in capitalising. The result, though not disastrous, is a reminder that while Chiefs may be showing signs of progress, sharpness in front of goal remains a work in progress heading into the new season. Reflecting on the encounter after the game, Chiefs head coach Nabi Nasdreddine presented a positive figure in front of the media following what he described as a performance to be pleased about despite the conclusion. "It's true we had opportunities to win the game in the 90 minutes and as well as the penalty shootout and we didn't and that's why we suffered defeat but in a general sense, I was very pleased with the performance," he said. "We have another two weeks that we need to take full advantage off and thats exactly what we're going to do." Amakhosi have lost five out of their six pre-season encounters following their tour of the Netherlands and have scored just two goals in the process with their forwards yet to find their footing in front of goal. Nabi waved away any concerns around these facts as he looked to focus more on his side's preparation rather than the final results. "It's friendly games, we're not going to comment much about friendly games." Kotoko is one of the sides Chiefs may encounter in the CAF Confederation Cup this season following their triumph in the Nedbank Cup. Comment on the challenge of the visitors, Nabi appreciated receiving first-hand experience of that level at this early stage of the season. "Everyone on the continent knows what Asante Kotoko represent and what they're about so we really appreciate the competition they've given us today and it will help us in our progression."
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Fans hail Thabo Cele despite Kaizer Chiefs' Toyota Cup defeat
Kaizer Chiefs supporters were full of praise for their top midfielder, Thabo Cele, following his performance against Asante Kotoko on Saturday. After the match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout was needed to separate the two sides. Asante Kotoko won 3-2 after an intense shootout at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. The 28-year-old Bafana Bafana player orchestrated the midfield alongside Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo. Amakhosi dominated play, especially in the first half, but poor finishing let them down. Although Kaizer Chiefs lost their second successive Toyota Cup match, Thabo Cele has been heavily praised for his performance. Overall, Chiefs looked sharp and competitive compared to what they displayed in the Netherlands. 'I have seen enough, we have player of the season loading here. Thabo Cele is a proper footballer,' @Romeo20040 tweeted. 'Thabo Cele is a very skillful midfielder, if you're not careful when marking him you'll break your ankle,' @PrinceSobayeni1 tweeted. 'Thabo Cele is the only player I would really consider writing their surname on my new Kappa thing, I haven't admired a Chiefs like this in a very long time, Infact the last player I admired like this was Doctor Khumalo,' @Ta_Fitty tweeted. Kaizer Chiefs will open their 2025/16 season against Stellenbosch on 10 August. 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.
The South African
4 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
4 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
5 days ago
- 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.'
