Brandon Petersen impressed by how quickly Kaizer Chiefs signing Langelihle Phili has settled

Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen says he has been impressed by the speed at which new signing Langelihle Phili has adapted to life at the club.

Phili, 21, joined Kaizer Chiefs on a long-term deal at the beginning of the week after leaving Stellenbosch, where he spent the past three seasons. He finished last season as Stellenbosch’s top goalscorer and is the fifth player to arrive at Naturena during the current campaign.

Speaking to the media at the MTN8 launch on Wednesday, goalkeeper Petersen said Phili had already made a positive impression during training. He believes the youngster’s confident start suggests he will not need much time before making his mark at the club.

“I think for me to see a younger player like that just come in and settle it’s a good sign,” said Petersen.

Players, particularly younger ones, often need time to adjust after moving to a new club, Petersen explained. However, he said Phili had immediately looked comfortable among his new team-mates.

“You know normally when players come into a new team especially the younger ones, it takes them a bit of a while before they settle. I think with him, I’ve watched him and I was like okay we are fine we are good to go.

“Just the fact that when he stepped on the field, no one had to motivate, encourage him like don’t worry he’s going to settle in. Stepped on the field and it’s like he’s always been there.

“So that for me is a good sign and that gives me confidence and that it’s not going to take him a long time to just come and do his business.”

Petersen also highlighted the presence of players Phili already knows from the national under-20 side as another factor that could have helped him settle at Kaizer Chiefs.

“That could be a good part that played a big role in settling in so well,” added Petersen.

The captain said Phili’s adjustment also reflected the player’s own confidence and belief in his ability. Joining a club such as Kaizer Chiefs brings considerable pressure, with high expectations and close attention from supporters and the wider football public.

“I think also it speaks to him as a player, you know his confidence and just him backing himself especially coming to a team like Chiefs. You know there’s expectations, all eyes are on you.”

Petersen added that Phili’s self-belief was encouraging from the perspective of a team-mate. The goalkeeper said it was important to see the new arrival show that he understood his own qualities and was prepared to trust them.

“I think for me that’s a good sign, for me as one of his teammates to know that he backs himself and that he knows what he’s capable of doing.”