Kaizer Chiefs’ Phili must embrace pressure, says former winger Thuso Phala

Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Thuso Phala says new signing Langelihle Phili must embrace the pressure that comes with becoming one of the club’s marquee recruits.

Chiefs have made a major statement in the transfer market by signing the 21-year-old from Stellenbosch, who reportedly valued the former Amajita player at R16 million.

The deal was completed as a cash-plus-players transfer, with Ashley du Preez and Given Msimango moving to the Cape Winelands as part of the agreement that brought Phili to Amakhosi.

It is the first time in some while that Chiefs have gone to such lengths to complete a high-profile signing, increasing the expectation surrounding the young winger before he has even made his competitive debut for the club.

Phili could make his first appearance for the Glamour Boys in Sunday evening’s MTN8 quarter-final against Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium. Chiefs are returning to the competition for the first time in three years, adding further interest to the occasion.

Phala believes the circumstances give Phili an opportunity to prove himself immediately rather than allowing the pressure to dominate him.

“The pressure, I don’t even want to explain it, already playing for Kaizer Chiefs there’s pressure. He comes as a marquee signing, so a lot is expected from him. The expectations are very high from the fans, the expectations are very high from the club since they released two players and spent money on him,” Phala said on omniaudioafrica YouTube Channel.

The former Bafana winger said Phili should view the intense scrutiny as part of the challenge of playing for one of South Africa’s biggest clubs.

“But I’m positive. If you’re a big player, you get there and get thrown in at the deep end, you get there and you swim with the sharks. So it’s his chance to swim with the sharks.

“If he believes he is going to be a big player at Chiefs, this is the moment you challenge yourself in life, that you are at this point, it’s a make or break, from the moment he made a decision to join Chiefs. It’s your time to shine ntwana (boy) but I believe he’s going to do well, very comfortable on the ball, very skillful, speedy, he’s got an eye for goal, that’s all you need as a winger,” the former Bafana winger added.

Phala’s assessment reflects the qualities expected of Phili in the Chiefs attack. His comfort in possession, skill, speed and ability to find the target have all been identified as attributes that could help him succeed in his new surroundings.

However, the transfer has also raised the stakes. Chiefs sacrificed two players and committed significant funds to secure Phili, meaning supporters and the club will expect an immediate contribution from the young winger.

The build-up to Sunday’s MTN8 quarter-final against Golden Arrows is therefore centred not only on Chiefs’ return to the competition, but also on whether Phili can begin to justify his billing as a marquee signing.

For Phili, the match offers an early chance to respond to those expectations and show that he is ready to perform under the spotlight at Kaizer Chiefs.