I want him to keep scoring, says Fernado da Cruz of Kaizer Chiefs ace striker Langelihle Phili

Kaizer Chiefs' head coach Fernando Da Cruz has expressed his support for young striker Langelihle Phili to continue his strong performance by scoring goals, while also acknowledging that he still needs to work on other aspects of his game. The 21-year-old has made all three appearances for the club since his transfer and scored his first goal against Mamelodi Sundowns, after earlier impressing in matches against Golden Arrows and Sekhukhune United.

Coach Da Cruz was pleased to see Phili rewarded for his efforts but believes that the forward should become more effective in defending for extended periods of time. "First of all I would love that he continues to score," Da Cruz said after the match against Sundowns, "but also in situations like today where we’re gonna have to defend for long periods, I would love it if he is able to keep the ball more, support the team by keeping the ball because in the first half he lost the ball too much for me."

Phili's goal proved crucial for Chiefs as they attempted to frustrate Sundowns, who dominated possession throughout the contest. The French coach had opted for a 5-3-2 formation, relying on defensive organisation before looking to exploit transitions. Phili was tasked with providing an outlet when Chiefs regained possession, making his ability to retain the ball vital to the team's approach.

Coach Da Cruz believes that Phili responded positively to the new challenge after the halftime break, improving his ability to keep the ball in the second half. However, he emphasizes that Phili will need time to adapt to the club and the team's playing style. The goal marked an encouraging start to Phili's career at Chiefs, earning him a regular place under Da Cruz.

Despite Phili's breakout goal, the coach's comments suggest he sees the youngster's performance as part of a broader adaptation process. Currently, Chiefs remain unbeaten in their first three matches, with two wins and a draw, and Phili will strive to build on this success as he continues to settle into Da Cruz's system.