Kaizer Chiefs’ Langelihle Phili ruled out for eight weeks with ankle injury

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has confirmed that new signing Langelihle Phili will be out for about eight weeks after suffering an ankle injury.

The 21-year-old forward scored his first goal for Amakhosi in their 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns, raising expectations that he could become a regular source of goals for the club.

However, Da Cruz says Chiefs will now have to cope without Phili for the foreseeable future as he begins his recovery.

“Phili is the bad news of this week, he got injured,” he toldSuperSport TV.

“He will be out around eight weeks.

“But we trust in our available players.”

Phili’s injury comes at an important stage for Chiefs, who face Richards Bay this evening. The match gives Da Cruz’s side an opportunity to respond after a difficult run against the Natal Richboys.

Chiefs have lost their past three consecutive ties at Richards Bay, making the fixture another test of their ability to produce a positive result away from home. The absence of Phili removes one of the club’s attacking options, but Da Cruz has made it clear that he expects the players available to him to take responsibility.

The teenager had only recently made an important contribution for Amakhosi by finding the net against Mamelodi Sundowns. That goal was his first for Chiefs and had led many supporters to anticipate further goals from the club’s star signing.

Instead, Phili will now spend roughly two months on the sidelines. Da Cruz did not provide any further details about the ankle problem, but his timeframe means the player is expected to miss a significant run of matches.

The result against Richards Bay could also have an impact on Chiefs’ position in the log. A draw would move Amakhosi level on points with bitter rivals Orlando Pirates, while a victory by three goals would take Chiefs to the top of the table.

That makes the contest particularly significant for Da Cruz’s side, who must pursue a result without one of their most discussed attacking players. The coach’s message is that Chiefs will rely on the squad members who remain available while Phili recovers.

For now, the focus is on Richards Bay and ending Chiefs’ sequence of three successive defeats in their meetings with the Natal Richboys. A result would strengthen Amakhosi’s position, with the possibility of moving level with Orlando Pirates or going top of the log depending on the margin of victory.