Lebogang Phiri

Lebogang Phiri
Personal information
Full name Lebogang Lelani Phiri
Date of birth (1994-11-09) 9 November 1994
Place of birth Johannesburg, South Africa
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Brøndby IF
Number 18
Youth career
2004–2005 Real Madrid
2005–2008 Balfour Park
2008-2009 Shooting Stars Sports Concepts
2009–2013 Bidvest Wits
2013 Brøndby IF
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2013– Brøndby IF 69 (6)
National team‡
2015– South Africa 1 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 26 October 2015.
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 1 July 2015

Lebogang Phiri (born 9 November 1994) is a South African international footballer, currently playing for the Danish club Brøndby IF. Phiri is capable of playing in several midfield positions, but is usually deployed by his club and national sides as a central midfielder, in the role of a deep-lying playmaker.

Career

Brøndby IF

Season 2012-13

Phiri joined Brøndby IF's U19-team on 8 February 2013 on a long-term eighteen months loan from the youth academy of South African side Bidvest Wits.[1] Phiri soon became a member of the first team, claiming a spot as a defensive midfielder in the line-up, due to injuries and suspensions. Phiri made his debut (in jersey number 34) in the away game against OB on 28 April 2013 which was won 2–1.[2] Phiri retained his spot for the remaining four games of the season in which Brøndby were undefeated, with Phiri scoring twice. On 20 May 2013 he scored the last-minute winning goal against AC Horsens that made Brøndby avoid relegation from the Danish Superliga.

Season 2013-14

Lebogang Phiri signed 28 June 2013 a new 4 year contract which ties him to the club until the summer 2017.[3] Phiri got officially promoted to the first team and handed jersey number 18.[4]

Phiri had a rough start on the season as Brøndby IF decided to sign Martin Ørnskov as an reinforcement and replacement for Phiri on the defensive midfield. But Lebogang Phiri found himself in the starting line-up after three matches with only 1 point and thereby pushed the team captain Mikkel Thygesen away from the defensive midfield in Brøndby’s 4-2-3-1 system in the 2-2 away draw against Viborg on 9 August 2013. But yet again Phiri found himself back on the bench as Brøndby IF signed with the lost son the former international Thomas Kahlenberg whom instantly pushed Phiri away from the starting lineup. But Phiri kept the right spirit and worked hard [5] which made him back in the starting lineup primo november. On November 10, Phiri made a staggering performance in the 3-0 home victory against Aarhus GF. A performance which made Phiri rightfully in the dream of a Bafana call up.[6]

Season 2014-15

Lebogang Phiri on Wall of Honour

On 31 July Phiri made his Europa League debut from the starting line up[7] in the 3-0 away defeat against the Belgium side Club Brugge.[8]

Phiri had a great winter midtseason preparation with plenty of playtime and he crowned his momentum by scoring the winning goal in the 1-0 victory against the Swedish side IFK Göteborg at The Atlantic Cup in Portugal.[9] During the season Lebogang managed to settle as one of Manager Thomas Franks favorites which was rewarded with a Bafana call up. Phiri’s debut was a reality when he came off the bench during the second half in South Africa’s 3-1 victory over Swaziland on March 25th which earned him a slot on the Wall of Honour at Brøndby Stadium.[10][11]

Season 2015-16

Lebogang Phiri started the season with a slot among the starting-11 in a staggering 9-0 home victory against the San Marino side A.C. Juvenes/Dogana in the Europa League qualification.[12]

Career statistics

As of 1 July 2015 [13]
Club Season League Cup Europa League Champions League Total
TierAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Brøndby IF Denmark 2012–13 T15200----52
2013–14 T121100----211
2014–15 T13013120--352
2015–16 T1000000--00
Total 564312000615
Career total 564312000615

Personal

Phiri hails from Alexandra and is the son of former Vaal Professionals player Esau Phiri.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Sorensen, Simon Møbjerg (8 February 2013). "Brondby sign 18-year-old African" (in Danish). www.tipsbladet.dk. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  2. ↑ Said, Nick (30 April 2013). "Phiri shines in Brondby debut". www.sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "Lebogang Phiri gets four more years at Vestegnen" (in Danish). www.brondby.com. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  4. ↑ "New jersey numbers" (in Danish). www.brondby.com. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  5. ↑ Houlind, Søren (8 October 2013). "Phiri: I’ll take my chances" (in Danish). www.bold.dk. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  6. ↑ "Phiri aiming for Bafana call". www.football411.com. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Starting line-up against Club Brugge" (in Danish). www.brondby.com. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  8. ↑ "Phiri: Must keep focus" (in Danish). www.brondby.com. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  9. ↑ "Phiri: Phiri seals the victory with a phenomenal goal against IFK GÖTEBORG" (in Danish). www.brondby.com. 7 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  10. ↑ "Phiri’s name on the wall of honour" (in Danish). www.3point.dk. 29 March 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  11. ↑ "Phiri Makes His Way Onto Brondby’s Wall Of Fame" (in Danish). www.soccerladuma.co.za. 29 March 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  12. ↑ "Watch the nine Brøndby goals" (in Danish). www.3point.dk. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  13. ↑ http://brondby.com/spillere/spillerprofil/?playerid=324284
  14. ↑ "Like father like son for Lebo". 10 June 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
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