Fernando da Cruz demands more from Phili after impressive Sundowns performance

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz has urged the club's new signing Langelihle Phili to up the ante after scoring in the one-all draw against Mamelodi Sundowns over the weekend.

The 21-year-old explosive winger recently joined the Glamour Boys from Stellenbosch FC in a high-profile move that saw Ashely du Preez and Given Msimango plus cash head to the Cape Winelands outfit.

Having arrived at Naturena under immense pressure amid high expectations from the Amakhosi faithful, Phili opened his Chiefs account against the Brazilians, before Cassius Mailula restored parity.

While the Amajita star has gotten off the mark in Chiefs colours, da Cruz is demanding more work rate off the ball, and called for the player to be afforded ample time to adapt to his new surroundings.

“First of all, I would like him to continue to score. And when we defend a lot like today [Saturday], I would like him to be able to receive the ball when we recover it to help the team to keep the ball,” said the Chiefs boss.

"He performed better in the second half, he was able to support the team, and he's also very happy that he scored. But we need to give him time to adapt to our club and our game model, and he will be better step by step.

The Frenchman, meanwhile, says his three-man compact midfield comprising of Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Siphesihle Ndlovu, and Lebohang Maboe against Sundowns, should have aided the frontline more.

“I would have loved them to support our last striker but they have different profiles, Ox is very good in recovering the ball to support our three central defenders,” added da Cruz, who inked a two-year deal with an option to extend.

"Ndlovu with his energy drives the ball to support the strikers as well, and Maboe was tired and we knew that before the game because he played a lot of games these past few days, but the three midfielders made an amazing game.

Chiefs will swing back to Betway Premiership action with an away clash against Richards Bay on Wednesday, 26 August, as they look to get back to winning ways in the league.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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