WeeklySA_AdminREDEMPTION: Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz confirms that Thabo Cele and Glody Lilepo not in his immediate plans, while revealing the club targeting four signings as Amakhosi prepare for Sunday’s Toyota Cup clash against Zimbabwean champions Scottland…
By Lehlohonolo Lehana
Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz has begun reshaping his squad for the 2026/27 season, confirming that midfielder Thabo Cele and winger Glody Lilepo are no longer part of his immediate plans as the club pursues four new attacking signings.
Speaking at Chiefs Village today ahead of Sunday’s Toyota Cup clash against Zimbabwean champions Scottland at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Da Cruz said he wants a different profile of players to implement a more dynamic style of football.
“We have a lot of players in Cele’s position. I prefer other profiles and, for the moment, he’s not in my plans,” Da Cruz said.
Cele joined Amakhosi in January 2025 from Russian club Fakel Voronezh on a three-and-a-half-year contract. Chiefs are now exploring options that could include a loan move or permanent transfer, although any deal will depend on an agreement between all parties.
We asked management to get different profiles so that we
can play different football and be less predictable – Fernando Da Cruz
The coach also revealed that Congolese winger Glody Lilepo could be heading for the exit door after attracting interest elsewhere.
“Lilepo has other opportunities elsewhere,” Da Cruz said.
Lilepo made an immediate impact after arriving from French club Valenciennes in January 2025, scoring four goals and providing an assist as Chiefs ended their decade-long trophy drought.
Despite the departures, Da Cruz made it clear the club is actively rebuilding its attacking department.
“There are four positions offensively: a striker, new wingers and an attacking midfielder,” he said.
“We have good profiles, but we asked management to get different profiles so that we can play different football and be less predictable.”
The transfer plans underline the Portuguese coach’s determination to stamp his identity on the squad before the Betway Premiership campaign gets under way next weekend.
Before then, Chiefs have one final opportunity to fine-tune their preparations when they face Scottland in the Toyota Cup.
Defender Inacio Miguel insists the match should not be dismissed as a mere exhibition fixture.
“It may be styled as a friendly match but to me, there’s a trophy to win,” Miguel said. “For our fans and the team, we want to redeem ourselves after not managing to win it last year. We are taking this match seriously because the league starts next weekend and we intend to hit the ground running. This is the perfect warm-up.”
Miguel expects a physical contest against the Zimbabwean champions but believes Chiefs’ demanding pre-season tour of Spain has prepared the squad well.
“We worked a lot physically and psychologically. We are on a mission to achieve success this season, and the technical staff are happy with the progress we’ve made,” he said.
After facing Rangers, Al Kholood and Elche during pre-season, Miguel urged supporters not to judge the team solely on those results, saying the focus had been on adapting to Da Cruz’s tactical approach.
With major changes already under way in the squad and more signings expected, Sunday’s encounter offers Amakhosi an opportunity to lift silverware and provide an early glimpse of the new-look Chiefs under their new coach. – Fullview/WSAM
