David Kannemeyer, a former defender for Kaizer Chiefs, believes that the Soweto club made a mistake by allowing Thabo Cele to leave for free to Mamelodi Sundowns.

There was a lot of uproar when Cele decided to leave after being left out of the Chiefs' preseason training trip to Spain. Quickly following the end of his contract with Naturena in September, Sundowns signed him; the club only confirmed his departure after the 2026–27 season had begun.

Despite getting little playing time since signing with the Pretoria-based side, the offered report claims that Cele has been a part of teams that won the MTN8 and the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup. His early involvement with silverware has once again come to light due to the Chiefs' decision to release him.

In an interview with FARPost, Kannemeyer said that disagreements among club decision-makers, including technical directors and coaches, often center on the recruitment of new players. He dropped hints that Chiefs' decision-makers might have felt differently about Cele than Sundowns'.

The opportunity to give this youngster a go presented itself, and I think [Sundowns coach Miguel] Cardoso saw something special, as Kannemeyer put it.

He went on to say that a player's personal resolve when an opportunity arises is more important than which club offers them a contract. Kannemeyer wished Cele the best of luck at Sundowns and said that the midfielder now has a chance to show what he can do in a very competitive team.

However, when questioned about the trade's origin, the former Chiefs defender was more honest. He suggested that the club's higher management, the athletic director, or a member of the technical staff should face consequences.

Although he did acknowledge that contentious decisions are common in football, he still believed the decision-maker made a mistake.

Amidst the Chiefs' struggles to fill the midfield voids left by the injuries to Siphesihle Ndlovu and Lebohang Maboe, talk has turned to Cele's departure. Reeve Frosler has allegedly been chosen by coach Fernando da Cruz to play as the team's central midfielder due to the selection issues.

Betway Premiership, CAF Champions League, CAF Super Cup, and FIFA Intercontinental Cup are just a few of the ongoing competitions for Sundowns. Given Cele's small role this season, it's too soon to say what his long-term role will be. However, he may be in for more responsibility down the road.

The impact of Cele's departure will become clearer as the campaign advances, but Kannemeyer's comments further inflame the controversy surrounding the Chiefs' recruiting decisions. The ex-defender thinks the decision-makers should be ready to deal with the fallout.

Source: https://x.com/farpostza/status/2111400577196327108?s=46