Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele has laid bare the mental toll of a testing Betway Premiership campaign, admitting that a combination of injuries, form dips, and fierce competition for places pushed him to his limits at Naturena. The 29-year-old Durban-born star, who joined Amakhosi on a free transfer from Russian side Fakel Voronezh in January 2025, has managed just 16 league appearances this season and missed significant portions of the club’s CAF Confederation Cup journey. Cele acknowledged that the struggle to reach his desired level has been as much a psychological battle as a physical one, forcing him to rely on patience and resilience to keep his head above water in a crowded midfield. Despite the setbacks, he has fought his way back into the side, featuring in the last four matches including the hard-fought 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Speaking before that clash in Tshwane, Cele opened up about the difficulty of staying mentally prepared while watching from the sidelines. He revealed that the constant cycle of setbacks and comebacks has tested his resolve, but his commitment to the craft never wavered. “When things are not working out for you, you need to remain calm and just keep on working like what I’ve been doing,” Cele explained, stressing that his primary focus has been on earning a role during the crucial closing weeks of the season. The arrival of players like Siphesihle Ndlovu and Lebohang Maboe has intensified the battle for starting berths, making every training session and appearance a statement of intent for the former South African junior international.
For Cele, the path back to regular minutes has been a grind defined by mental fortitude. He described the challenge of always being ready for a comeback, acknowledging the emotional peaks and valleys that define a footballer’s career. “So, it’s a mental thing, to always be up for a comeback all the time you know