Kaizer Chiefs boss Da Cruz urges Langelihle Phili to improve ball retention

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz wants young attacker Langelihle Phili to become more effective at keeping possession as he continues to adapt to life at the Soweto club.

Phili joined the club in a dream move earlier this month, but the 21-year-old was not involved in Kaizer Chiefs’ pre-season preparations in Spain.

The former Stellenbosch winger has made three appearances since arriving at Naturena and has scored once. His goal came in Chiefs’ 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns in their most recent match.

Phili has already offered glimpses of the qualities that persuaded Kaizer Chiefs to sign him, although Da Cruz believes the youngster still has important areas of his game to develop.

The coach highlighted Phili’s contribution in possession after Chiefs were forced to spend long periods defending against Sundowns.

“First of all, I would like him to continue to score and also when we defend a lot, like today, I would like that when we recover the ball, he’s able to keep the ball, to support the team,” Da Cruz told journalists.

The Chiefs manager felt Phili struggled to retain possession during the first half, but said the winger responded positively after receiving instructions at the interval.

“In the first half [against Sundowns] he lost too many balls, but in the second half, I told him that we needed him to keep the ball and he was much better and I’m very happy that he scored.”

Phili’s goal ensured he made a telling contribution in a difficult fixture, while his performance after half-time gave Da Cruz encouragement that he can make progress as he becomes more familiar with his new surroundings.

The coach also stressed that the player should be given time to adjust to a new club, a different group of team-mates and Kaizer Chiefs’ tactical approach.

“But we need to give him time to adapt himself to our club, to our game model, and it will be better step by step,” he added.

Da Cruz believes Phili’s influence will grow as he gains more experience within the team and develops a clearer understanding of what is expected of him.

“We need to give him a little bit of time, but I think the more we move forward, the more he is going to be important for the team.”

Kaizer Chiefs will return to action on Wednesday, 26 August, when they travel to face Richards Bay.

The club’s latest developments come as attention also turns elsewhere in South African football, with Cape Town City having revealed an eye-catching away kit and Orlando Pirates set to sign another youngster from Ermelo.