Langelihle Phili: Fernando da Cruz Gives Update on Kaizer Chiefs’ New Signing Injury Problem

• Kaizer Chiefs confirmed winger Langelihle Phili is beginning rehabilitation after an ankle injury sustained in training last month
• Coach Fernando Da Cruz described the 21-year-old as a player capable of making a difference in one-on-one situations
• Phili is one of several Amakhosi players currently sidelined, with Chiefs sitting third in the Betway Premiership

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz has provided an update on winger Langelihle Phili, confirming the 21-year-old has started rehabilitation following an ankle injury.

Phili sustained the knock during a training session last month. The club expects him to remain unavailable for at least another month as he works through his recovery programme.

Da Cruz Backs Phili's Quality

The Portuguese coach was direct in expressing his regard for the winger, who joined Amakhosi from Stellenbosch at the start of the current season and quickly made an impression at Naturena.

"He's an important player for us, for that we signed him," Da Cruz said. "For the moment he didn't work during 10 days and now he's starting his rehabilitation. Technically he's a good player. He's a player who is able to make a difference, a player who's able to eliminate 1 vs 1."

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Da Cruz acknowledged that the squad has sufficient cover in the meantime, pointing to collective responsibility for creating opportunities. "But also, we have other players we work, we are trusting them and we create chances, it's not a problem. Our main issue is we are not enough killer inside the two box," he added.

With Phili unavailable, former Stellenbosch teammate Faiz Abrahams remains an option out wide for the coach.

**Chiefs Battling Mounting Injury List**

Phili is not the only player missing for Amakhosi. Paseka Mako, Bradley Cross, Nkhayiso Shinga, and Khanyisa Mayo are all currently sidelined, leaving Da Cruz to manage a stretched squad in the weeks ahead.

Despite the injury disruptions, Kaizer Chiefs sit third on the Betway Premiership table, behind Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

Source: Briefly News