Da Cruz urges Kaizer Chiefs forward Phili to build on first goal

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz wants Langelihle Phili to continue scoring after the 21-year-old marked his promising start at the club with a goal against Mamelodi Sundowns, although he believes the forward must improve his ability to retain possession.

Phili scored past Ronwen Williams in the 1-1 Betway Premiership draw at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, rewarding a series of encouraging performances since joining Amakhosi. He has appeared in all three of Chiefs’ matches this season and started the games against Sekhukhune United and Mamelodi Sundowns.

The forward had already impressed during Chiefs’ opening fixtures against Golden Arrows and Sekhukhune United, but his goal against Sundowns was his first in the club’s colours.

Da Cruz welcomed the breakthrough but said Phili needed to offer more when Chiefs were required to defend for extended periods against opponents who controlled possession.

“First of all I would love that he continues to score,” Da Cruz said at the post-match press conference.

“But also in situations like today where we’re gonna have to defend for long periods, I would love it if he is able to keep the ball more, support the team by keeping the ball because in the first half he lost the ball too much for me.”

Phili’s goal came at an important stage of a match in which Sundowns enjoyed long spells of possession. Da Cruz, the French coach, set Chiefs up in a 5-3-2 formation, asking his players to remain organised without the ball and look to threaten when they won possession.

That approach made Phili’s role particularly significant. He was expected to provide an outlet in transition and give Chiefs a way to move up the pitch after recovering the ball.

Although Da Cruz was critical of the attacker’s first-half performance, he felt Phili responded well after the break and combined that improvement with the decisive moment in front of goal.

“He was able to improve in those aspects in the second half and he was also able to score but we need to give him time to adapt to our club and the game model.”

The coach’s comments underline that Phili’s goal is viewed as one step in a wider process rather than the conclusion of his adaptation to Chiefs’ demands. The youngster, referred to as 22 years old by Da Cruz, has nevertheless made a regular place for himself during the opening stages of his Chiefs career.

Chiefs are unbeaten after three matches, having recorded two victories and Saturday’s draw. Phili will now aim to add to his first goal while continuing to adjust to Da Cruz’s system and the expectations of playing for the Johannesburg club.

The match image showed Phili scoring past Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams during the Betway Premiership encounter at FNB Stadium on 15 August 2026. The photograph was credited to Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix.