Kaizer Chiefs Midfielder Frozen Out After Questioning Team Tactics

A Kaizer Chiefs player has allegedly been dropped from the team for questioning the training methods of co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze.

Ben Youssef and Kaze have been in charge of the South African giants in a co-coaching capacity since September after taking over from their former boss Nasreddine Nabi but they seem to be struggling with how to handle some of the players at the club.

After Rwandan goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari refused to come off during a cup match in October, they are now reported to have dropped midfielder Thabo Cele after he reportedly questioned some of the training drills and team tactics.

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Cele is a key player in central midfield who has been ever-present since he joined Chiefs in January 2025 after leaving Russian club Fakel Voronezh but he had not featured in their last three matches before they went into a midseason break.

“The coaches don’t like the fact that he questions the tactics, training sessions and in particular his role in the team,” former Cape Town City FC and Hellenic FC player Peter du Toit said on SoccerBeat.

“That happens continuously overseas, players always question; ‘what are we doing for training, what is the benefit?’ It is always happening and you cannot have a situation at the club where coaches punish players for questioning.

“Obviously, it has to be done in a respectful way but even if it is done in a regressive way under aggressive circumstances, it is also understandable because it shows the player’s real passion.”

Cele has made 14 appearances for Chiefs this season, starting 10 of them, and has formed a good central midfield partnership with Sibongiseni ‘Ox’ Mthethwa.

However, in his absence, new signing Lebohang Maboe has partnered either Mthethwa or George Matlou with the ex-Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder impressing since making his Chiefs debut.

It remains to be seen if Cele will make a return to the squad when action resumes in late January as Chiefs look to continue their push for domestic and continental titles.