Thabo Cele Set for Mamelodi Sundowns Move After Kaizer Chiefs Exit

Thabo Cele appears set for a remarkable career turnaround after reportedly completing a move from Kaizer Chiefs to Mamelodi Sundowns just days after his departure from Naturena. The 29-year-old midfielder left Amakhosi by mutual agreement on Monday, bringing an unexpected end to his time with the club. Almost immediately, reports emerged that Sundowns had opened negotiations to take the experienced midfielder to Chloorkop. Those talks are understood to have moved quickly, with Cele reportedly completing his medical and putting pen to paper with the reigning African champions. If the deal is officially announced as expected, it will give the midfielder an opportunity to revive his career at a club competing for major domestic and continental honours.

Cele’s departure from Kaizer Chiefs came after new head coach Fernando Da Cruz reportedly informed him that he was not part of his plans for the upcoming season. The midfielder had been an important figure during the previous campaign and helped Chiefs end a long wait for silverware by contributing to their successful Nedbank Cup run in 2025. His departure therefore represents a significant change in circumstances within a relatively short period. A player who was part of a trophy-winning Chiefs squad has now found himself on the verge of joining one of the most successful clubs in African football. The speed with which Sundowns reportedly moved for him demonstrates the value they see in his experience and ability.

Multiple reports indicate that negotiations between Cele and Sundowns were concluded quickly after his exit from Chiefs. The midfielder is reportedly already contracted to the Pretoria-based club after completing the necessary medical examinations. While an official announcement is still expected, the reported progress suggests that the move has advanced well beyond the initial stage of interest. Sundowns have established themselves as one of the strongest teams in the country and have increasingly built squads capable of competing across several competitions. For Cele, joining such an environment could provide the platform he needs to restore his confidence and establish himself as an important squad member again.

The move would also reunite Cele with Teboho Mokoena, his former South African Under-23 teammate. The two midfielders previously shared an international environment and now have the opportunity to work together at club level. Mokoena has become an important player at Sundowns and his presence could help Cele settle into his new surroundings. Having a familiar face in the squad can also make the transition easier for a player arriving after an unexpected change in circumstances. Their reunion adds an interesting dimension to what could become an important new chapter in Cele’s career.

Cele brings considerable international and overseas experience to the Sundowns squad. Before returning to South Africa, he spent several seasons playing in Portugal, including spells with Real SC and Cova da Piedade. He later continued his career in Poland with Radomiak Radom before moving to Russia, where he represented Fakel Voronezh. Those experiences exposed him to different footballing cultures, tactical approaches and competitive environments. That background could prove useful at Sundowns, particularly as the club continues to balance domestic fixtures with demanding continental commitments.

His overseas career also means Cele has experienced football beyond the South African Premiership, giving him a broader understanding of the professional game. Playing in different countries requires players to adapt to new systems, teammates and coaching methods. Cele has already demonstrated that adaptability throughout his career, and those experiences could now benefit Sundowns. The club has a squad filled with technically gifted players, but experience remains valuable when competing for trophies across multiple competitions. His ability to provide depth and composure in midfield could become an important asset as the season progresses.

The midfielder’s recent history at Kaizer Chiefs makes the reported transfer even more significant. Cele was part of the squad that ended the club’s trophy drought with the 2025 Nedbank Cup triumph, giving him a major achievement to look back on from his time at Naturena. That success demonstrated his ability to contribute to a team capable of handling pressure during important knockout matches. However, his situation changed after the arrival of the new technical regime, with Da Cruz reportedly deciding that the midfielder did not feature in his plans. Instead of allowing that setback to derail his career, Cele now has the chance to join a team with immediate ambitions of winning more silverware.

At Mamelodi Sundowns, the expectations will be considerably higher because the club regularly competes for major honours. Sundowns have established a reputation for challenging for domestic trophies while also targeting success in African competitions. Cele will therefore enter an environment where competition for places is intense and every player must maintain high standards. His experience could help him compete for a role in a midfield containing several established options. The challenge will be to convince the technical team that he can contribute consistently while adapting quickly to the demands of his new club.

The reported transfer also highlights how quickly a player’s circumstances can change in professional football. Cele went from being told that he was not part of Chiefs’ plans to reportedly becoming a new signing for the reigning African champions within days. That turnaround gives him an opportunity to transform a difficult moment into a fresh start. Rather than spending the season searching for a new club, he could now be preparing to compete for trophies alongside some of the country’s leading players. The move could also give Cele the chance to remind supporters and coaches of the qualities that previously made him an important midfielder for both club and country.

For Sundowns, signing Cele would provide additional experience and depth while giving the player an opportunity to revive his career at the highest level in South African football. For Cele, the reported move to Chloorkop represents a chance to move forward after an abrupt departure from Kaizer Chiefs. His previous success in the Nedbank Cup, combined with his years of experience abroad, gives him a strong foundation from which to build. Reuniting with Mokoena adds another positive element to the transfer, while the opportunity to compete for major trophies could provide additional motivation. If the move is formally confirmed, Thabo Cele will have completed one of the most striking changes of fortune in the early stages of the new season, going from being outside Chiefs’ plans to joining a Mamelodi Sundowns side with ambitions of adding even more silverware to its collection.