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Thabo Cele exits Kaizer Chiefs with Mamelodi Sundowns medical looming

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SokaLive

08 Sep 2026, 09:00

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Midfielder Thabo Cele has officially parted ways with Kaizer Chiefs, bringing a sudden end to his time at Naturena. The South African playmaker, known for his technical composure and European pedigree following spells with Portuguese clubs such as Real Massamรก and C.D. Feirense, now eyes an immediate switch within the DStv Premiership. Mamelodi Sundowns have emerged as his likely destination, with the move contingent on the completion of routine medical evaluations.

For Kaizer Chiefs, the departure of the former Bafana Bafana international disrupts a squad currently striving to reclaim its dominant stature at the pinnacle of South African football. The Glamour Boys have endured a turbulent transitional phase in recent seasons, making midfield stability paramount. Meanwhile, domestic heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns continue to aggressively bolster their star-studded roster under Rulani Mokwena, maintaining a relentless recruitment strategy designed to secure both domestic supremacy and continental glory in the CAF Champions League.

Should Cele successfully pass his medical assessments in Tshwane, he will integrate into a highly competitive Sundowns midfield that already boasts an abundance of national team talent. The immediate challenge for the former Benfica youth product involves breaking into a congested starting XI governed by tactical rotation. Observers now await official confirmation from the Brazilians regarding contract terms, which will clarify whether Cele represents the definitive solution to their central midfield depth.