Thabo Cele reveals Kaizer Chiefs’ vulnerability 

Despite a perfect start to the season with two wins and two clean sheets, Thabo Cele had sounded a note of caution, admitting that Kaizer Chiefs are still “vulnerable on transitions.” 

The midfielder's frank assessment comes even as the Glamour Boys prepare to host Richards Bay FC, suggesting that the team's recent defensive solidity is not something he takes for granted.

Cele's comments highlight the team's recurring struggles with on-field control. He believes the Amakhosi's attempts to dominate games often fall short, a problem he links directly to a lack of confidence. 

He pointed out that last season's struggles were particularly evident in the final minutes of matches when the team would concede goals due to late-game lapses. This was a significant issue last season, where the team gave up 32 goals and finished with one of the worst defensive records in the league.

He drew a comparison to this time last year, when the team, under Nasreddine Nabi, had already conceded two goals in their early wins. While the current defensive record is a marked improvement, Cele’s analysis suggests the team is not out of the woods yet.

He emphasised that while the new signings have boosted the team’s attack and midfield, the underlying issue of vulnerability during transitions remains. 

Cele's call for the team to improve on regaining possession quickly and effectively transitioning into attack is a clear message to his teammates and coaching staff. It reveals a desire to not just win games, but to do so with the kind of dominant control that has been missing for some time.

‘WE’RE TRYING TO IMPROVE THAT’

“If you look at it, our problem is that we play and then we concede on transitions, so we’re trying to be in control, especially in the opponent’s half,” said Cele.

“We want to create more opportunities and also maintain control in the opponent’s half. It’s those things that we’re trying to improve on, you know, tactically.

“Playing for this club, expectations are always there, and we’re here because, you know, we want to handle that expectation. And, you know, what they’re [supporters] expecting is good results, like how we started. But obviously not everything is perfect.

“We’re trying to improve, like I said, we’re trying to improve on how we play, on how we create opportunities, on how we do everything, like in the previous games. We didn’t concede.

“Also, on how we’re trying to maintain that, because if you look at the Stellenbosch game, they created some opportunities. We are trying to minimise teams from creating opportunities. And for us to be creating more opportunities.”