Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Langelihle Phili dedicates move to late grandmother

Kaizer Chiefs have signed 21-year-old midfielder Langelihle Phili from Stellenbosch FC, with the KwaZulu-Natal-born player saying he will honour his late grandmother during his time at Naturena.

Phili’s grandmother was a devoted Kaizer Chiefs supporter, and he says joining the club carries a personal significance that goes well beyond football.

“The first thing that came to mind was my grandma, who has sadly passed away. She supported Kaizer Chiefs and I always used to watch them with her when I was young. Everyone at home supports Amakhosi, so I thought it would be a good move for me to join the team I grew up supporting and being here feels like my dream has really come true,” he told www.kaizerchiefs.com.

The midfielder joins Kaizer Chiefs after two seasons with Stellenbosch FC, having previously developed through the AmaZulu youth academy.

Phili began his football journey with a township club in Pinetown, near Durban, before earning an opportunity to join AmaZulu’s academy. He progressed through the club’s youth system and reached DDC level before moving to Stellenbosch in 2023.

“I come from Durban and I began playing for a local township football club in Pinetown. From there I progressed to the AmaZulu youth academy where I progressed through the ranks until reaching DDC (DStv Diski Challenge) level when I left for Stellenbosch in 2023. I played in the DDC for their U23 team, and was offered a professional contract the following year. I had two seasons with Stellenbosch and now a I am overjoyed to be here at Chiefs,” he revealed.

At Stellenbosch, Phili played in the club’s DStv Diski Challenge Under-23 team before being offered a professional contract the following year. He now begins the next stage of his career with Kaizer Chiefs, a club he supported while growing up.

The new Amakhosi signing has already made clear what he hopes to achieve at the club. He wants to challenge for silverware, build lasting memories and quickly become part of the first-team environment.

“Thank you for choosing me. I am finally here and would love nothing more than to win trophies and make great memories with you. I can’t wait to meet everybody and start training with the rest of the team and the coaching staff.”

The move represents a return to KwaZulu-Natal for Phili and gives him the opportunity to continue his development at one of South Africa’s most prominent clubs.

His route to Naturena has taken him from local football in Pinetown, through the AmaZulu academy and Stellenbosch’s development structure, to a professional contract and now a move to Kaizer Chiefs.

For Phili, however, the transfer is also the fulfilment of a childhood dream shared with the grandmother who introduced him to the Glamour Boys.