Cele Reflects On Overcoming Chiefs Heartache To Claim Double Trophy Success at Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Thabo Cele says the difficult transition he endured at Kaizer Chiefs during the off-season was ultimately worth it, as he now finds himself at a club where winning silverware is the standard.
Cele came off the bench in the second half as Sundowns delivered a dominant performance to defeat Orlando Pirates 2-0 in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.
The triumph comes after a challenging pre-season for the 29-year-old. After being informed by Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz that he was surplus to requirements due to an overcrowded midfield, Cele was left to train individually before mutually agreeing to terminate his contract.
Sundowns moved swiftly to secure his signature following his departure from Amakhosi. The MTN8 victory marks Cele’s second major trophy since joining the Brazilians, adding to the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup title won against Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ahli SC.
Reflecting on his journey in the post-match mixed zone, Cele expressed gratitude for his new chapter:
“For me, football is life. It has been a difficult journey, but one had to overcome,” Cele said in the mixed zone after the match.
“Going through what I went through to be here, it has been the same thing: pushing myself and focusing on what is coming next.
“For me, it was about being at a club like Sundowns, and being here today, I’m so grateful.”
The MTN8 victory also marks Cele’s second cup success at Moses Mabhida Stadium against Pirates, having previously lifted the Nedbank Cup at the Durban venue during the 2024/25 season.
Acknowledging his explosive start to life at Chloorkop, the midfielder described the team’s winning culture as something special:
“As I said, it is a blessing because it is not common,” Cele said.
“Having just joined the club recently and won two trophies, it is major for me and for us, especially the new players who are coming in.
“We come with the ambition to help the club continue to elevate. So, it is a blessing.”
