Thabo Cele, the 28-year-old midfield linchpin for Kaizer Chiefs, has candidly discussed the comprehensive strategic overhaul and rebuilding project currently in full swing at the club, masterminded by their mentor, Nasreddine Nabi.
Cele's own professional narrative adds depth to this story; his arrival at Amakhosi this January on a free transfer, following his tenure with Russian side Fakel Voronezh, represented a significant homecoming.
The Phefeni Glamour Boys now stand as his inaugural professional club experience on South African soil, a long-awaited return since he ventured abroad in 2016 as a promising young talent, joining Real SC in Portugal.
In a remarkably short period of just half a year with the Soweto giants, Cele has seamlessly integrated and made his mark, featuring in 15 crucial appearances.
More impressively, his contributions were instrumental in a truly historic moment for the club: helping Chiefs finally break their agonising ten-year trophy drought.
This monumental achievement was sealed with their Nedbank Cup triumph against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in a thrilling final that captivated the nation this past May.
CELE ON CHIEFS’ CAPABILITIES
“With Kaizer Chiefs, there’s so much potential to win the trophies,” said Cele during the Thabo Thalente Games launch in KwaMashu as per FARPost.
“So, for us as a team, we can see 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.
“Building is a process; for us, we need to focus and try to enjoy that process. 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.”
