Midfielder Lebogang Phiri has revealed that he once turned down a lucrative offer from Kaizer Chiefs, choosing instead to chase his European ambitions, a decision that shaped the next decade of his career.
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Speaking on SNAWA with Andile Ncube on Metro FM, Phiri reflected on the moment in 2017 when Amakhosi made a serious attempt to bring him back to South Africa during his final months at Danish club Brondby IF.
“I was keen on Kaizer Chiefs. Why? Because Kaizer Chiefs also came in 2017, in my last six months of Brondby. They came with a contract offer that was really, really good.”
At just 21 years old, Phiri was faced with a career-defining choice: return home to a massive payday or continue building his reputation abroad. The numbers, he admitted, were tempting.
“And the numbers there made sense? They made sense. For the age that I was, coming back home to earn that, it was an excessive amount. I still had dreams and ambitions of playing abroad, hence I declined that offer and went to France.”
Phiri would go on to spend several seasons in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, representing clubs like EA Guingamp and Paris FC, before returning to South Africa in 2025. Now 31, he looks back on that decision with clarity, and a hint of reflection.
“At the time I was 21 and I think from the age of 21 to this year, I'm turning 31. It's 10 years later. I should be a little over that number.”
His comments come amid reports that Chiefs had reignited interest in Phiri earlier this year, but ultimately opted to sign Lebogang Maboe instead.
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