Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele has subtly pinpointed the root of the team’s struggles, highlighting their issues with transitions and a lack of control on the field.
Cele suggested that the Amakhosi’s attempts to dominate the game are often a struggle, a problem he feels is tied to confidence.
Despite having an improved and promising attacking and midfield department, Cele is the first to admit that they remain vulnerable on transitions.
The Glamour Boys are yet to concede in the new 2025/26 season, having beaten Stellenbosch FC 2-0 in their season opener. They went on to edge Polokwane City FC 1-0 in the league.
Nevertheless, Cele has raised concerns over their ability to maintain balance. For him, the major problem is late-game lapses, as he stated that they conceded most goals in the last minutes of matches last season.
This time last season, the Nasreddine Nabi side had conceded two goals in matches they won against Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu FC, on 2-1 and 3-1 scorelines respectively.
And when the season ended, they had conceded a total of 32 goals. They were the third team with the highest number of goals conceded. Gallants conceded 39 goals while AmaZulu conceded 34 goals.
WHAT THABO CELE SAID ABOUT KAIZER CHIEFS
Speaking to the press on Monday ahead of their match against Richards Bay FC in the Betway Premiership, Cele acknowledged the threat that transitions pose and that they need to improve on regaining possession quickly and transition into attack effectively. They are set to host Richards Bay at the FNB Stadium at 19h30 on Tuesday.
“If you look at it, our problem is that we play and then we concede on transitions, so we’re trying to be in control, especially in the opponent’s half,” said Cele.
“We want to create more opportunities and also maintain control in the opponent’s half. It’s those things that we’re trying to improve on, you know, tactically.
“Playing for this club, expectations are always there, and we’re here because, you know, we want to handle that expectation. And, you know, what they’re [supporters] expecting is good results, like how we started. But obviously not everything is perfect.”
The hardworking midfielder, Cele, is hoping they will play with the same conviction as against Stellies and Polokwane City, and starve opponents of the ball.
“We’re trying to improve, like I said, we’re trying to improve on how we play, on how we create opportunities, on how we do everything, like in the previous games. We didn’t concede.
“Also, on how we’re trying to maintain that, because if you look at the Stellenbosch game, they created some opportunities. We are trying to minimise teams from creating opportunities. And for us to be creating more opportunities,” added Cele.
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