Kaizer Chiefs have suffered a significant setback after head coach Fernando Da Cruz confirmed that new signing Langelihle Phili is expected to spend around eight weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
The 21-year-old attacker sustained the injury in training and did not travel with the Amakhosi squad to KwaZulu-Natal for their Betway Premiership encounter against Richards Bay.
The timing could hardly have been more frustrating for Chiefs, with Phili beginning to make his presence felt following his high-profile move from Stellenbosch FC.
Da Cruz Confirms Phili Injury
Da Cruz revealed the extent of the setback ahead of the Richards Bay encounter, describing Phili’s injury as the “bad news of the week” for his squad.
The winger is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months as he recovers from the ankle problem.
His absence comes shortly after Phili scored against Mamelodi Sundowns, providing an early glimpse of the attacking quality Chiefs invested heavily to bring to Naturena.
The injury now interrupts that momentum and leaves Da Cruz without the youngster during an important period of the season.
Expensive Chiefs Investment Sidelined
Phili’s injury carries added significance because of the lengths Chiefs went to in order to secure his signature from Stellenbosch.
The highly-rated attacker had reportedly been valued at around R16 million by the Cape Winelands club amid significant interest in his services.
Rather than completing a straightforward cash transfer, Chiefs ultimately secured Phili through a major player-plus-cash agreement.
Ashley Du Preez and Given Msimango both moved permanently to Stellenbosch as part of the transaction, while Chiefs also paid an additional transfer fee to secure the winger.
Phili subsequently signed a three-year contract with Amakhosi.
Promising Start Brought to a Halt
Expectations surrounding Phili were high following his arrival, particularly considering the size and structure of the deal required to bring him to Naturena.
His goal against Sundowns appeared to signal the beginning of his emergence as an important attacking option for Da Cruz.
Instead, Chiefs will now have to continue without him for an estimated eight weeks.
For a player who had only recently begun establishing himself at his new club, the injury also delays an important period of adaptation and development within the Chiefs first team.
Chiefs Face Two Months Without Phili
Da Cruz must now reorganise his attacking options as Amakhosi navigate their upcoming domestic fixtures without one of their major new signings.
Phili’s rehabilitation will determine exactly when he can return, but the current eight-week estimate means Chiefs are facing a considerable spell without the 21-year-old.
After investing heavily to secure him and seeing him make an early impact against Sundowns, Amakhosi will now hope their new attacker can recover on schedule and resume his promising start at Naturena.