Latest news with #LebogangPhiri
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Bafana Bafana international Lebogang Phiri shares views on youth football development
BAFANA Bafana midfielder Lebogang Phiri attendend the Gauteng leg of the Engen Knockout Challenge. | Supplied French-based Bafana Bafana midfielder and Engen Knockout Challenge graduate Lebogang Phiri recently made a powerful return to the tournament that helped shape his career. Phiri spent some time engaging with players, watching matches, and reflecting on the impact of grassroots football. 'This is not just another youth tournament. I don't think people always realise the gravity of it,' said Phiri. 'Tournaments like the Engen Knockout Challenge are whereyou get the next top talents and future big-name players. "It's where players learn to handle pressure, build big-match temperament, and get exposed to the type of support and attention that prepares them for the next level. "If a young player approaches this platform with the right mindset, it can change their career.' As someone who rose through the same ranks, Phiri understands the environment better than most. Beyond the on-field action, he emphasised the off-field growth players experience. 'The pressure is high, and the expectations are real and because of that, players learn respect, discipline, and great sportsmanship," said Phiri. "These are qualities you don't always get from just training or league matches. This kind of environment shapes you in every way as a footballer.' His presence at the Gauteng playoffs underscored the 2025 campaign theme 'It's Your Moment, Future Diski Legends', serving as a living example of what is possible when talent meets opportunity. Phiri's message to the next generation was clear: make this moment count, because the path to greatness often starts with a platform like the Engen Knockout Challenge.
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs transfers: Bafana midfield maestro, teenage striker
Kaizer Chiefs are chasing players at polar opposite ends of the age spectrum as the new Betway Premiership season edges nearer. Veteran midfielder Lebogang Phiri is available after stints in Denmark, Turkey and France. Teenage striker Luke Baartman is one of two targets at Cape Town Spurs. Finally, some good news for Amakhosi Deep-lying playmaker Lebogang Phiri is a veteran of the European scene after stints in Denmark, France and Turkey. He's confirmed that giants Kaizer Chiefs are in touch. The 30-year-old has a surprisingly low tally of six caps for Bafana. Click for the story Meanwhile, Chiefs believed that targets Luke Baartman and Asanele Velebayi were no longer contractually tied to the Mother City outfit Cape Town Spurs. This, after Spurs' relegation from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to the amateur ABC Motsepe League. Spurs are contesting Chiefs' claims in court. 22-year-old winger Velebayi made 23 appearances in the 2023-2024 Betway Premiership season. Striker Baartman, still just 19, made nine league appearances in the same season, scoring twice. Click for the story Kaizer Chiefs' Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr, and the chairman, Kaizer Motaung. Image: @kaizerm_jr/X Will Kaizer Chiefs challenge for the title next term? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Bafana midfield maestro says 'come get me' to Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs have made contact with experienced Bafana midfielder Lebogang Phiri. 30-year-old Lebogang Phiri has had two stints with French side Guingamp, first signing for them in 2017 and rejoining them in 2024. Guingamp dropped out of Ligue 1 at the end of the 2018-2019 season after a six-year stay in the French top flight. Pitso Mosimane's son leaves Kaizer Chiefs for Italy Deep-lying playmaker Lebogang Phiri is a veteran of the European scene after stints in Denmark, France and Turkey. He's confirmed that giants Kaizer Chiefs are in touch. 'We had small talks with them, but I think it was the time they were going for a pre-season training camp abroad [in the Netherlands],' said Phiri via Soccer Beat . 'So, those [the negotiations] were stalled a bit. Hopefully, in the upcoming days, we will come up with something; if not, we will respect everybody who shows interest in me, whether it is locally or abroad,' the Johannesburg-born star concluded. Finally, some good news for Kaizer Chiefs fans Kaizer Motaung Jr has plenty to ponder as the 2025-2026 season rolls closer. Image: © Sydney Mahlangu Meanwhile, Chiefs believed that targets Luke Baartman and Asanele Velebayi were no longer contractually tied to the Mother City outfit Cape Town Spurs. This, after Spurs' relegation from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to the amateur ABC Motsepe League. Spurs are contesting Chiefs' claims in court. 22-year-old winger Velebayi made 23 appearances in the 2023-2024 Betway Premiership season. Striker Baartman, still just 19, made nine league appearances in the same season, scoring twice. Click for the story Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Lebogang Phiri open to Kaizer Chiefs move after European spell
However, discussions with Amakhosi were put on hold due to the team's pre-season tour of the Netherlands. Lebogang Phiri during the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge at Marks Park Sports Club, in Johannesburg on 18 July 2025 ©Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Lebogang Phiri is open to a move to Kaizer Chiefs, with the club believed to have made initial contact regarding his availability. Phiri, currently a free agent, returned to South Africa after his contract ended with French Ligue 2 side Guingamp at the end of last season. However, discussions with Amakhosi were put on hold due to the team's pre-season tour of the Netherlands. ALSO READ: Chiefs coach optimistic about new season after Netherlands camp While the 30-year-old has attracted overseas interest, he is said to be eager to finally play in the Betway Premiership, with Chiefs among the local sides monitoring his situation. In the meantime, Phiri is keeping himself fit on his own and lending a hand at his father's amateur club in Alexandra township, as he considers his next move. The midfielder left South Africa as a teenager to join Danish giants Brøndby from the Bidvest Wits youth system, and has spent the entirety of his senior career abroad. ALSO READ: Ouaddou hopes Spain victory will boost Pirates confidence His European journey has seen him play in Denmark, France, and Turkey including a stint with Çaykur Rizespor in the Turkish Süper Lig that proved less fruitful, before returning to France with Paris FC and later rejoining Guingamp.
TimesLIVE
19-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Ex-Bafana midfielder Lebogang Phiri impressed with quality at Engen Knockout Challenge
Former Bafana midfielder Lebogang Phiri is impressed with the talent on display in the Gauteng leg of the Engen Knockout Challenge under way at Marks Park Sports Ground in Johannesburg. Phiri, who played in the tournament in his youth, said it has had a positive impact on many players with some of them going on to play for Bafana Bafana like him. 'This is not just another youth tournament, and I don't think people realise the gravity of it,' said Phiri who plays for Guingamp in Ligue 2 in France. 'Tournaments like the Engen Knockout Challenge are where you get the next top talents and future big-name players. It's where players learn to handle pressure, build big-match temperament. 'This is where players get exposed to the type of support and attention that prepares them for the next level. If a young player approaches this platform with the right mindset, it can change their career.' Phiri also spoke about the intensity and competitiveness of the tournament. 'The pressure is high, expectations are real and because of that, players learn respect, discipline, and great sportsmanship. These are qualities you don't always get from just training or league matches. This kind of environment shapes you in every way as a footballer.'
