Kaizer Chiefs News Today: Vilakazi questions use of Phili, Jappie’s muti revelation & more

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Kaizer Chiefs News Today: Vilakazi questions use of Phili, Jappie’s muti revelation & more

Kaizer Chiefs news, as Orlando Pirates legend voices concern over use of Langelihle Phili and former Free State Stars man Yusuf Jappie lifts the lid on dressing room muti rituals.

 

Vilakazi questions use of Chiefs signing Phili

Orlando Pirates legend Benedict Vilakazi has expressed reservations about the way Kaizer Chiefs could deploy new signing Langelihle Phili under Fernando da Cruz’s tactical framework.

Phili is arguably the biggest acquisition of Chiefs’ current transfer window, with Amakhosi parting ways with Given Msimango and Ashley Du Preez to Stellenbosch FC as part of the deal to secure his services.

Langelihle Phili during his Kaizer Chiefs unveiling.
Langelihle Phili during his Kaizer Chiefs unveiling. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

The 21-year-old winger was one of the standout performers in the Betway Premiership last term, collecting Stellenbosch’s Players’ Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season, Rama Fans’ Player of the Season and Top Goal-Scorer awards for the 2025/26 campaign.

However, Vilakazi fears that Phili could be overburdened if he is asked to operate as a number 10 in Da Cruz’s system, which features a double pivot in central midfield.

“My worry is I saw (Mfundo) Vilakazi on the right, I saw (Luke) Baartman on the left, I also saw (Ethan) Chislett on the left, so that means they don’t have a number ten. For me as a coach it gives me a signal to say, ‘I can’t play with one number ten and I would rather have two tens and one defensive midfielder’,” Vilakazi said as per KickOff.

“So that if the ball goes to the left, this one on the middle left will go and assist, on the right, this one on the middle right will go and assist but when you’ve got one number ten, he needs to go chase,” Vilakazi added.

Ex-PSL on how muti helped beat Kaizer Chiefs

Former Free State Stars midfielder Yusuf Jappie has shared a remarkable dressing room anecdote involving muti — traditional medicine — during his time at the Bethlehem-based outfit.

Speaking in KickOff’s Locker Room Secrets series, Jappie recalled being instructed to wash with a mysterious substance that had been placed inside a two-litre Coca-Cola bottle, though the contents were far from the soft drink.

The 31-year-old, who does not personally believe in muti due to his religious convictions, explained that he was warned he would face consequences from the club’s hierarchy if he refused to comply with the ritual.

Jappie was told to wash from his elbows down to his hands on both arms, from his knees to his feet, and also his face. Chiefs happened to be the opponents that day — and Free State Stars won 2-1.

Da Cruz warns of a ‘tough week’ as injuries mount

Kaizer Chiefs new signing Faiz Abrahams and coach Fernando da Cruz.
Kaizer Chiefs new signing Faiz Abrahams and coach Fernando da Cruz. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

Back at Naturena, Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz is bracing for a demanding stretch that will see Amakhosi play three matches in just six days.

With Sunday’s MTN8 exit to Golden Arrows still fresh, Da Cruz revealed that striker Flavio Da Silva picked up an injury in training on the eve of the cup tie and was therefore unavailable against Arrows.

Ethan Chislett was also absent, with Da Cruz indicating the club opted to manage both players carefully given the congested fixture list ahead.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a sports journalist covering South Africa, with 16 years in sports media and a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Focused on football analysis and responsible gambling, his work has appeared on GOAL and Pulse Sports Kenya, and he is a regular football analyst on TV and radio.

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