Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen believes new signing Langelihle Phili has all the qualities to thrive at Naturena after making an impressive start to life at the Soweto giants.
The 21-year-old joined Amakhosi from Stellenbosch FC following a breakthrough campaign in which he scored seven goals and provided one assist in 26 appearances last season. Phili also played a key role in South Africa’s Under-20 side, Amajita, winning the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations last year, further cementing his reputation as one of the country’s brightest young prospects.
While young players often need time to adapt after making a big move, Petersen says Phili has looked completely at home since arriving at Chiefs.
“Normally, when younger players come to a team, it takes them a bit of a while before they settle. But with him, I watched him and thought, ‘Okay, we’re fine. We’re good to go,’” Petersen said.
“The moment he stepped onto the field, nobody had to motivate him or encourage him by saying, ‘Don’t worry, he’ll settle in.’ He stepped onto the field like he’d always been here.”
Petersen believes Phili’s self-confidence has been the biggest factor behind his seamless transition.
“That gives me confidence that it’s not going to take him a long time to settle. It speaks to him as a player—his confidence and the fact that he backs himself.
“Coming to a club like Kaizer Chiefs, there are expectations and all eyes are on you. For me, that’s a good sign as one of his teammates because you can see he backs himself and knows what he’s capable of.”
Phili is among several new faces brought in ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, with Amakhosi also strengthening their squad through the arrivals of Adolf Mtasingwa and fellow former Stellenbosch FC defender Thabo Moloisane.
The trio forms part of a revamped Amakhosi squad under new head coach Fernando da Cruz, who will be eager to make a positive start to his tenure.
Chiefs’ second competitive assignment of the new season comes on Sunday when they host Golden Arrows in the MTN8 quarter-finals, with supporters hoping the club’s new signings can make an immediate impact as they begin their quest for silverware.
Written by Sandile Ndumo
