Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz explains why Langelihle Phili was signed after Sundowns draw

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz says Langelihle Phili’s performance against Mamelodi Sundowns showed precisely why the club brought him in, despite the match ending in a 1-1 draw.

Phili scored his first goal for Kaizer Chiefs with a composed finish in the second half, giving his side the lead before Mamelodi Sundowns levelled from a set-piece.

Da Cruz praised the contribution of the player, while also stressing that Phili still needs time to adapt to the team’s approach and understand the manager’s tactical demands.

“We signed Phili to make this type of performance,” Da Cruz told SuperSport after the game.

“He is very good player, but he needs time again to understand our game model.

The coach’s assessment followed a demanding period for Kaizer Chiefs, who had played three matches in six days. Da Cruz was particularly pleased with the way his squad maintained its level, saying the team had produced an impressive performance despite relying on the same players across the run of fixtures.

“I’m very proud of the team because three games in six days with the same players amazing today. I’m very proud of the squad.”

Phili’s strike opened his account for the club and provided Kaizer Chiefs with a reward for their work in the match. However, Mamelodi Sundowns responded with an equaliser, meaning the contest finished level.

The source described the goal as helping Kaizer Chiefs claim a third straight league win, while also identifying the fixture as a 1-1 draw and referring to Mamelodi Sundowns as having halted the club’s winning start.

Da Cruz nevertheless felt his side had shown enough defensive strength against a strong opponent. He acknowledged that Mamelodi Sundowns controlled significant periods of possession, but said they created relatively few clear opportunities.

“We opened them because it was 1-0 for us, we concede one goal on set-pieces, but we need to say that it’s a good team they had a lot of the ball, but we did not concede a lot of chances.

“So, we were strong today we can be proud of the team.”

The match therefore offered mixed emotions for Kaizer Chiefs. Phili’s goal was a major positive for the club and reflected the attacking qualities Da Cruz expected when the player was signed. At the same time, the concession from a set-piece prevented the side from taking all three points against Mamelodi Sundowns.

For Da Cruz, the broader performance remained encouraging. The coach’s comments suggested that Phili’s development will continue as he becomes more familiar with the team’s model, while the squad’s ability to compete through a congested schedule was another source of satisfaction.