“Not In My Plans” — Da Cruz Drops Bomb On Thabo Cele’s Chiefs Future
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz has confirmed that midfielder Thabo Cele is not in his plans, citing a surplus of options in his position.
Speaking at his first official press conference on Friday—ahead of Chiefs’ Toyota Cup clash against Zimbabwean side Scottland at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday—Da Cruz explained that he prefers a different profile of player for his system.
Cele was notably omitted from Chiefs’ pre-season training camp in Spain after Da Cruz decided early on that the midfielder was surplus to requirements. The player is currently training separately from the first team, with Amakhosi reportedly exploring options to terminate his contract by mutual consent.
Sources close to Sportswire indicate that Cele prefers a return to Europe, as he does not see himself playing for a smaller domestic club if he leaves Naturena.
“For Thabo Cele, we have a lot of players in his position,” said da Cruz at the press conference via a translator.
“He prefers other profile players and at the moment, he is not in his plans.”
Cele joined Chiefs alongside Da Cruz in 2024, signing a deal through the end of the 2027/28 season. Since his arrival, the Durban-born midfielder has made 36 appearances across all competitions without registering a goal or an assist—a key stat line that likely contributed to Da Cruz’s decision to move in a different direction.
Da Cruz originally departed Chiefs before the start of the 2024/25 season while serving as the assistant coach under Nasreddine Nabi.
He returned to take the reins following the mid-season departure of co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, who had stepped in after Nabi’s exit last October.
