South African midfielder Thabo Cele set for Kaizer Chiefs exit after being left out of Spain pre-season tour

South African international Thabo Cele is expected to depart Kaizer Chiefs this summer after being left out of the club’s Spain pre-season tour.

The former Bafana Bafana midfielder only joined Amakhosi last season from Russian club Fakel Voronezh but struggled to establish himself as a key figure at Naturena despite making a promising start.

According to reports, Cele’s relationship with the club’s former co-coaches, Cedric Kaze and Ben Youssef Khalil, deteriorated during the season after disagreements over tactical approaches. The reported clashes are believed to have significantly affected his standing within the squad.

While Kaizer Chiefs have since ushered in a new era under head coach Fernando da Cruz following the departures of Kaze and Khalil, Cele’s omission from the squad that travelled to Spain suggests he is no longer part of the club’s immediate plans.

The decision to exclude the midfielder from the crucial pre-season tour is seen as a strong indication that both the player and the club could be preparing for a separation during the current transfer window.

Pre-season camps are typically used by coaches to assess their squads and integrate players into tactical systems ahead of the new season. Missing out on such preparations often signals that a player is either available for transfer or faces an uncertain future at the club.

For Cele, the latest development marks a disappointing turn after arriving at Kaizer Chiefs with high expectations following his stint in Russian football. Although he showed glimpses of his quality early in his Amakhosi career, he was unable to consistently secure a place in the starting lineup.

With Fernando da Cruz now overseeing preparations for the new season, Kaizer Chiefs are expected to reshape the squad as they look to build a team capable of challenging for major honours.

Whether Cele is given another opportunity under the new coach or moves on in search of regular first-team football remains to be seen, but his absence from the Spain tour has intensified speculation that his time at Naturena could soon come to an end.