Phala shuts down Chiefs jealousy talk over Phili

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Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Thuso Phala has dismissed suggestions of a rift between academy stars Mfundo Vilakazi, Mduduzi Shabalala and new signing Langelihle Phili. Photo: Gallo

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Phala shuts down Chiefs jealousy talk over Phili

Aug 17, 2026 – 03:07 pm
By Thato Bosoga

Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Thuso Phala has dismissed suggestions that academy products Mfundo Vilakazi and Mduduzi Shabalala could clash with new marquee signing Langelihle Phili over the spotlight at Naturena.

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Phili, still only 21, has become the centre of attention since arriving at Amakhosi, with eagle-eyed supporters already scrutinising the behaviour of the club’s homegrown stars when they are on the ball — and whether the pressure to impress is getting to them.

Those moments came under the microscope during Chiefs’ 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United, where Vilakazi and Shabalala came off the bench for the final 25 minutes, with the latter killing off the game with a late second goal. Some supporters suggested that one of the two academy graduates opted not to pass to Phili in promising positions during the match.

Phala, however, was having none of it, insisting that such dynamics are natural at big clubs and do not breed bad blood.

“But that does not bring bad blood. You go to big teams, you bring Mbappe to Real Madrid, Vinicius Jr would not feel that now he is no longer a big player at Real Madrid. Those things happen. We might be critical to say he should have passed Phili there or Phili should have passed Mdu there. But I don’t see a rift happening.”

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The former Chiefs winger believes that rather than friction, the combination of Phili, Vilakazi and Shabalala could blossom into something special for Amakhosi — provided they are given time to gel.

“I think the sooner they gel together, the sooner they create chances, the sooner they start the games together, they are going to become a deadly combination.’

“I see them even becoming better friends and better colleagues, because they are young boys, they are exciting, they are the future of South African football. If they work together, they’re going to create chances together, Chiefs will win and the boys will have a chance to go to the national team,” Phala added.