Da Cruz urges Lingelihle Phili to build on scoring debut as Chiefs draw with Sundowns

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz has called on Lingelihle Phili to develop his all-round game after the midfielder scored in his side’s 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Phili gave Chiefs the lead in the second half, capping an impressive start to his time at the club after recently joining from Stellenbosch. Sundowns responded through substitute striker Cassius Mailula, whose equaliser ensured the points were shared.

The 21-year-old has now made three appearances for Chiefs, but Da Cruz believes Phili must become more effective when his team are under pressure and spending long periods without possession.

“First of all, I would love that he continues to score,” Da Cruz said.

“But also, in situations like today where we’re going to 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 was substituted after scoring and receiving a yellow card for removing his shirt during his celebration. Da Cruz said the midfielder was still adapting to his new surroundings and required more time to settle into the team’s organisation.

“The difficulty against an opponent like that, that has a bit more of the ball, when you win the ball back, you expect him to keep it.

“In the first half he lost too many balls. At half time we told him he needed to keep the ball, and he was much better in the second half. But he is still someone finding his bearings in the organisation and we need to give him a bit more time. The further we go, the more important a player he will be for the team.”

Da Cruz also praised Thabo Moloisane and Pule Mmodi, who made their first appearances on the pitch under him this season.

The draw preserved a hard-fought result for both teams, with Chiefs unable to hold on to their lead and Sundowns showing enough resilience to recover after falling behind.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso highlighted his players’ determination to avoid defeat, although he said he wanted that attitude to be evident earlier in matches.

“What I think is important is that we show character to fight for results until the last minute, but we should also show character to fight for results from the first minute,” Cardoso said.

“I don’t like to win matches at the end. I prefer to win them in the beginning because that’s when teams can obviously manage the context, coaches can manage players, make changes and give opportunities to others.”

Mailula’s goal meant Sundowns left FNB Stadium with a share of the points after Chiefs had taken the initiative through Phili, whose first goal for the club provided the main highlight of his early involvement with the team.