Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele has lauded the club’s supporters for helping him settle in quickly since his arrival in the January transfer window.
Cele was among the three new midseason signings that joined Chiefs alongside striker Tashreeq Morris and winger Glody Lilepo and while the latter has earned plenty of plaudits, he has gone about his business quietly.
However, his influence in the Chiefs midfield has been growing and was experienced on Saturday when he put in a man of the match display as Chiefs beat Stellenbosch FC 3-1 to make it to the Nedbank Cup semi-final.
Cele lauds Chiefs fans for their influence
The midfielder says he has found it like a family at Chiefs with both fans and team-mates making it easy to settle and focus on what he has to do on the pitch.
“Honestly this is for the whole team because we expected it was going to be a difficult game, but we had to grind, and we are happy to come away with the next step,” Cele said on SuperSport TV.
“Without these people, most of the moments we were down but they kept us going. I’m even losing my voice. I don’t have words.
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“I just want to thank God and my family at home – my people. Since I’ve come back, it’s been like crazy for me. And we still want to go on to the next step. Even in the league we want to climb higher. As a team we are fighting. We want to fight more to achieve for the fans and for the club.”
Cele will hope to play a key role for the rest of the season as Chiefs, lying eighth in the league, still hope to climb higher up the table and qualify for continental football next season.
Chiefs have also landed a tricky Nedbank Cup semi-final draw as they will take on either Mamelodi Sundowns or Sekhukhune United for a place in the final as they look to win a first trophy in 10 years.