Kaizer Chiefs slammed over Cele mistake – ‘You need players that question things’

Kaizer Chiefs legend Brian Baloyi has lauded midfielder Thabo Cele for showing great character and professionalism during his time at the club and now at Mamelodi Sundowns

Cele left Chiefs last month when his contract was terminated and Sundowns moved with speed to sign him as a free agent.

The midfielder had been frozen out of the squad at Chiefs, having not played for most of the second half of last season, after he reportedly questioned a number of things.

Even new coach Fernando da Cruz did not hand him opportunities as he made it clear from the start that the player was not in his plans but Cele has started life at Sundowns in fine fashion.

⚽ "It shows that Cele is a quality player!" ⚽

Usothukile uBrian Baloyi emva kokubona uThabo Cele ephumelela kwiSundowns – a month after ehambe kwi-Chiefs!

📲: https://t.co/n4l8PqUe6b#WorldSportsBetting #PSL #SoccerBeatYethu pic.twitter.com/UqSmcrq3Yy

— SoccerBeat (@SoccerBeatZA) October 15, 2026

‘Top class’ Cele earns high praise

The 29-year-old has won two trophies in a matter of weeks, having been named on the bench against Saudi giants Al Ahli, before coming on as a second half substitute in the MTN8 final last Saturday, when Sundowns beat Orlando Pirates to lift the trophy.

“It shows that he is a top-class player,” Baloyi said on SoccerBeat. “You have not been playing for close to a year and in a space of a month, you go to a top club like Sundowns and you break into the team.”

“You get picked to play in the final. It says a lot about the quality of this player. Normally, this player should not be match fit but it shows that this boy is a professional,” he added.

Chiefs criticised over transfer decision

⚽ "Chiefs needs 6-7 Celes kwi-team yabo!" ⚽

uBrian Baloyi uthi iKaizer Chiefs idinga abantu abafana abazobuza imibuzo ebalulekileyo nje ngoThabo Cele! 👀🟡

📲: https://t.co/n4l8PqUe6b#WorldSportsBetting #PSL #SoccerBeatYethu pic.twitter.com/5aw4Bf2Nyf

— SoccerBeat (@SoccerBeatZA) October 15, 2026

Looking at how Cele was pushed out of Chiefs, Baloyi feels the Glamour Boys made a mistake as they need those kinds of players in plenty and not just ‘yes men’ who want to stay in their comfort zone.

“Chiefs need five, six, seven Celes. You need players that are there, that are not just going to be there and just stay,” said the former Chiefs and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper.

“You need players that are going to question things. They question things not because they think they are better but because they want the club to be better and want to contribute.”