Mamelodi Sundowns legend Hlompho Kekana has detailed why the signing of midfielder Thabo Cele will prove crucial in lightening the workload on Bafana Bafana star Teboho Mokoena at the Chloorkop-based side.
Cele joined the Brazilians as a free agent following his departure from Kaizer Chiefs in the early stages of the current campaign.
The midfielder parted ways with Amakhosi after weeks of uncertainty surrounding his future, having spent pre-season training away from the main squad when new head coach Fernando Da Cruz indicated he was not part of his plans.
Following the termination of his spell at Naturena, Cele secured a swift return to top-flight football by putting pen to paper with Sundowns.
Before his switch to Pretoria, the former South African youth international spent 18 months in Soweto, having joined Chiefs during the 2025 January transfer window. He made an immediate impression, playing a vital role in helping the club end a decade-long trophy drought by clinching the 2025 Nedbank Cup.
Now embarking on a new chapter at Sundowns, Cele faces stiff competition in central midfield from elite performers like Mokoena, Marcelo Allende, Gomolemo Kekana, and Bathusi Aubaas.
HOW THABO CELE CAN EASE TEBOHO MOKOENA’S WORKLOAD AT SUNDOWNS
While Mokoena remains the primary option in the holding midfield role, Kekana believes Cele’s arrival provides much-needed cover and quality depth—particularly with Mokoena currently sidelined. The midfield maestro suffered an injury during Bafana Bafana’s 2027 AFCON qualifier against Guinea, ruling him out of South Africa’s international friendly against Egypt in Cairo on Sunday, with a high-stakes MTN8 clash against Orlando Pirates also looming on the horizon.
Drawing from his own experience of managing heavy fixture schedules as a legendary Sundowns skipper, Kekana emphasised the physical toll of continuous play.
“Look, when you are a team like Mamelodi Sundowns, you need personnel that have been tested, with the combination of youth and experience because in that position, Mokoena has been excellent, let’s be honest,” Kekana told FARPost.
“I was that player who played so many games, and I know the impact of having to play so many matches. Sometimes you play when you are not fresh, and that’s where injuries come into play. But when you have a bench that can back you, and they are on the same level as you, then even when you are injured you are not worried because someone else will take the team to the level that it has always been at.”
Kekana also reserved praise for another recent addition, defender Wandile Dube, noting that Sundowns’ strategic recruitment will be vital in navigating their gruelling domestic and continental schedules.
“So I think the recruitment of Cele and Wandile Dube is huge because when you look at Wandile, he’s young and a left centre-back, which is rare to find in South Africa.
“You want to have such talent in your team, particularly with Sundowns having so many matches coming up. I feel for them, but they have to make sure that they win football matches for us.”
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