“Like He’s Always Been There” – Peterson Amazed By Rapid Rise Of Phili
Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Peterson believes new signing Langelihle Phili has already made a strong first impression after settling quickly into life at Naturena following his move from Stellenbosch FC earlier this week.
Phili was unveiled as one of Amakhosi’s latest signings after completing his switch from Stellies. The highly rated Amajita winger arrived in Johannesburg from Cape Town and wasted no time joining his new teammates in training.
His seamless transition has impressed Peterson, who believes Phili’s confidence and composure from the moment he stepped onto the training pitch are encouraging signs for his future at one of South Africa’s biggest clubs.
“I think, for me, to see a younger player like that come in and settle so quickly is a good sign,” Peterson said.
“It’s always, you know, when players come to a team, especially younger ones, it usually takes them a while to settle. But with him, I watched him and thought, ‘Okay, no, we’re fine.
“We’re good to go.’ The fact that when he stepped onto the field, no one had to motivate or encourage him, or say, ‘Okay, don’t worry, he’s going to settle in.’
“When he stepped onto the field, it was like he’d always been there. So, for me, that’s a good sign, and it gives me confidence that it won’t take him long to come in and do his business.”
Phili’s arrival is regarded as a major coup for Chiefs, with reports suggesting the club secured the talented youngster in a breakthrough deal with Stellenbosch that saw Ashley Du Preez and Given Msimango move in the opposite direction, along with a cash payment.
The Amajita winger will also reunite with several players he knows from South Africa’s Under-20 national team, including Takalani Mazhamba, Mfundo Vilakazi and Luke Baartman.
While Phili has already begun training at Naturena, he is not the only new addition to the Chiefs squad. Amakhosi have also signed Renaldo Learner, Thabo Moloisane and Adolf Mntasingwa.
Like Phili, the trio are still awaiting their official debuts for the Soweto giants. However, Peterson believes the newcomers must remain focused despite the pressure and attention that come with joining Chiefs.
“I think, for me, a good sign is the way they’ve settled so quickly,” he added.
“I think the most important thing for them is to stay focused and not let all the hype and noise around them cloud their judgment.
“It’s about backing themselves because they’re here for a reason. They performed very well at their previous clubs, and that’s why they were signed by Chiefs.
“So, for me, it’s simply about going out there, believing in themselves and knowing they’re capable of performing to the best of their abilities.”
The new signings could be handed their first opportunity to impress on Sunday when Chiefs host Golden Arrows in the MTN8 quarter-final at FNB Stadium.
