Chiefs midfielder desperate to play for Bafana
Cele was originally selected in the Bafana squad for this year's Cosafa Cup but was unable to make it due to injury.
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele says he is chomping at the bit to play for Bafana Bafana.
Cele was originally selected in the Bafana squad for this year's Cosafa Cup but was unable to make it due to injury.
ALSO READ: Ahly and Sundowns face defining World Club Cup campaigns
'Any opportunity I'm given to represent the country, I'd wake up even at 2 AM to play for the nation. But it's just that I've been struggling with an injury,' Cele told FarPost.
Chiefs' Cele – 'I want to be part of that'
'I do watch Bafana games because it's football and I support the national team. I want to be part of that. When we grow up as young boys, we have dreams of representing the country.
'So, this is something I've been fighting for even with the Under-20s and U-23s. Even the soldiers, when they go to fight, wear a South African badge. So we want to be part of that.
'When I got that (COSAFA Cup) call-up, I was here in Durban, and instantly the doctor indicated that it was not possible (to join the team),' he added.
Cele, 28, joined Chiefs in January and had a decent second half of the season with Amakhosi, who won the Nedbank Cup, but finished a disappointing tenth in the Betway Premiership.
Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has previously indicated that he cannot select Chiefs players for the Bafana first team, because of the side's poor performances.
'I can't'
'For me, for the moment I can't select players from Kaizer Chiefs,' said Broos.
ALSO READ: Sundowns set for tough CWC group stage
'I hope that they make a better season next year. Ok, they've won the Cup, but I think that was the only highlight in Chiefs' season. All the rest was not so good.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Sundowns' Cardoso defends Williams and Mokoena after defeat
'We had one season playing our style of football and we didn't make one single mistake. Today we made two mistakes on build-ups,' said Cardoso. Miguel Cardoso, head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup press conference at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, USA on 20 June 2025 © Lynne Gleeson/BackpagePix Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has leapt to the defence of Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena following his side's spirited 4-3 loss to Borussia Dortmund in their FIFA Club World Cup Group F encounter at the TQL Stadium on Saturday night. Sundowns' dream start The Brazilians made a dream start when Lucas Ribeiro opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a sensational solo run from the halfway line before calmly past Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. ALSO READ: Dortmund edge Sundowns in a seven-goal thriller However, the lead was short-lived after a misplaced pass by Williams handed Felix Nmecha a simple finish to equalise five minutes later. In the 34th minute, Mokoena was caught in possession in a dangerous area, allowing Dortmund to break forward, with Serhou Guirassy heading home from Julian Brandt's cross to put the German side 2-1 up. Dortmund struck again before the break through Jobe Bellingham who capitalised on a handling error by Williams to make it 3-1 going into half time. 'We had one season playing our style of football and we didn't make one single mistake. Today we made two mistakes on build-ups,' said Cardoso. 'I supported them at half-time. Most of my talk was to support the players and I sat on their side and told them let's go together because it would have been very easy to penalise a player like Teboho. 'But how can I penalise a player like him that has an intention to do well but the level of pressure is much higher in games like these. I supported the boys and there's no other way.' Things went from bad to worse on the hour mark when Khuliso Mudau inadvertently turned a low cross into his own net, seemingly ending any hopes of a Sundowns comeback at 4-1. The fightback Impressively, goals from Iqraam Rayners and substitute Lebo Mothiba gave Cardoso's men a lifeline and ensured a nervy finish against the Bundesliga outfit, who just about held on for the win. While visibly disappointed with the result, Cardoso praised his side's character, particularly in the second half. 'I know that South Africans asked for shoe shine and piano which is beautiful football and for us to be loyal to our identity. I think today we saw that at the highest level,' Cardoso concluded. 'This is a message to South Africa to really highlight the level of football that Sundowns plays and not destroy because there's a lot of destruction around us but we're tough. ALSO READ: Pirates deal for AmaZulu winger confirmed 'We need to obviously look forward to the next competition because we understand that we can compete with these kinds of teams and that is the perspective that will take into the next match.'
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs news: Four players missing, Mbule talks heat up
Kaizer Chiefs returned to training on January 20, but were without Mduduzi Shabalala, Bruce Bvuma, Wandile Duba, and Aden McCarthy, who were granted additional leave having participated in the COSAFA Cup. Each player is expected to board the plane to Europe for pre-season. AmaKhosi's chances of signing free agent Sipho Mbule are still a possibility. The former Mamelodi Sundowns outfielder has been offered to Kaizer Chiefs by agent Mike Makaab, but the club have yet to make a decision. Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are tussling to sign SuperSport United's youngster Neo Rapoo. 'Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are both keen to sign SuperSport United left-back Neo Rapoo ahead of the new season,' an inside source revealed. 'His performances as he led South Africa U20 to the Africa Cup of Nations title earned him interest in Scandinavia and the Gulf but sources as Matsatsansa have confirmed Chiefs and Pirates are both seriously after the player who is seen as future senior national team left-back.' 'With Orlando Pirates having released Paseka Mako and the retirement of Innocent Maela, their interest on the promising full-back comes as no surprise, while Chiefs are looking to remedy a position that has plagued them in the last couple of seasons.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Juventus primed for Club World Cup challenge against Lorch and Mailula's Wydad
Juventus manager Igor Tudor played down suggestions that his team are showing signs of end-of-season fatigue, insisting his players are motivated and ready to compete as they prepare to face Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in the Club World Cup on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. The match kicks off at 6pm, South African time. Juventus opened their campaign with an emphatic 5-0 victory over UAE's Al Ain, and a win against Wydad, who boast two South Africans Thembinkosi Lorch and Casius Mailula in their set-up, would secure their progression to the next stage. Such a result would set up a highly anticipated Group G showdown with Manchester City on Thursday, likely to determine the group winners. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Tudor said he sees no signs of lethargy in his squad. 'I don't see any signs of fatigue in the team; on the contrary, I see a lot of enthusiasm,' he said. 'It's a pleasure to see them enjoying playing together. They started the last match like it was a final. There's more confidence in them now, not just a little but a lot more. They're enjoying what we're building together, and that's a fantastic thing.' Lorch was unhappy at Sundowns: Cardoso as star is loaned to Wydad 'Lorch is not a young player. In the past year he has not played much so it was important to let him go' Sport 4 months ago Tudor, who took over in March after the dismissal of Thiago Motta, has overseen a remarkable turnaround at the Turin club. Juventus were floundering outside the Serie A top four and had been eliminated from all cup competitions when Tudor arrived. However, under his guidance, the team suffered just one further league defeat, finishing fourth to secure Champions League qualification. Reflecting on his tenure thus far, Tudor expressed pride in his players' professionalism and commitment. 'I have great professionals who've been available from the first day to the last,' he said. 'There's been a lot of work behind the scenes, but we've also developed a better understanding of the game and what I ask of them as a coach.' Despite the strong start in the Club World Cup, Tudor urged his squad to remain focused. 'Juventus should be ambitious, but we must stay humble and work hard with our heads down,' he said. 'I always tell the players to focus on training and take each match as it comes. Maybe I bore them by saying it, but that's the mindset we need.' Juventus' clash with Wydad Casablanca will be a key test of their progress under Tudor, with the Italian side looking to maintain momentum ahead of the knockout stages of the tournament.
