Lebogang Phiri

Lebogang Phiri

Personal information
Full name	Lebogang Lelani Phiri
Date of birth	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	91	(7)
National team^‡
2016–	South Africa U23	3	(1)
2015–	South Africa	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 6 September 2016. ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 1 July 2016

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 under-19 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 four-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 25 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]

Lebogang chose a new agent, the extremely recognized and former Danish international Søren Lerby to represent him during the forthcoming carrier decisions and contract negotiations. On 20 March Phiri chose after another splendid performance against Esbjerg fB where he was named MoM by both Sponsors and Supporters to reveal that he felt ready to take the next step in his carrier. Phiri stated at the same time that he was open for a contract extension with Brøndby IF.^[13]

On March 27, Phiri got his South Africa under-23 debut from the starting lineup in the 3–1 defeat against Brazil under-23 during the Olympic Games 2016 preparation. Lebogang made a solid first half performance before he got planned substituted during the half time break^[14]

Phiri crowned his season by winning the leading Brøndby dedicated media 3point.dk player of the season award. A price based on the readers votes after each and every game in the season. Phiri had twice as many points as the club legend Daniel Agger who came in third after Frederik Rønnow.^[15]

Season 2016–17

During the pre-season Phiri represented South Africa U23 in the COSAFA Castle cup in Namibia where he from the starting lineup lead his team to victory after a 3-2 win against Botswana.^[16] Phiri scored his first U23 goal (2-1) in the 5-1 semi final victory against Swaziland.^[17]

Phiri started contract negotiations with Brøndby straight away after returning from COSAFA Castle Cup. Both Brøndby and Phiri stated a common interest in an agreement but Phiri also said that he kept his options open. During the negotiations Phiri revealed that Brøndby had rejected an offer from the Austria side Rapid Vienna. ^[18] After weeks of negotiations Brøndby decided to put some heavy pressure on Phiri as they rejected his wish of representing his country at the Olympics 2016 in Rio without a signed contract extension.^[19]

Career statistics

As of 6 September 2016 ^[20]

Club	Season	League			Cup		Europa League		Champions League		Total
		Tier	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Brøndby IF	2012–13	T1	5	2	0	0	-	-	-	-	5	2
	2013–14	T1	21	1	0	0	-	-	-	-	21	1
	2014–15	T1	30	1	3	1	2	0	-	-	35	2
	2015–16	T1	28	3	4	0	8	0	-	-	40	3
	2016–17	T1	7	0	0	0	6	0	-	-	13	0
	Total		91	7	7	1	16	0	0	0	114	8
Career total			91	7	7	1	16	0	0	0	114	8

• (-) Not qualified

International goals

Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first.^[21]

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	22 June 2016	Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek, Namibia	Swaziland	2–1	5–1	Friendly

Personal

Phiri hails from Alexandra and is the son of former Vaal Professionals player Esau Phiri.^[22]

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. "Feels ready – Brøndby-exit ahead off Phiri?" (in Danish). www.tipsbladet.dk. 20 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
14. "Phiri and South Africa met there bane". 28 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
15. "Phiri - Player of the season" (in Danish). www.3point.dk. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
16. "Phiri and ZA wins the COSAFA Castle Cup" (in Danish). www.3point.dk. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
17. "Phiri scores in ZA win" (in Danish). www.3point.dk. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
18. "Phiri would love to stay" (in Danish). 7 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
19. "Phiri would love to stay" (in Danish). www.3point.dk. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
20. http://brondby.com/spillere/spillerprofil/?playerid=324284
21. "L. Phiri". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
22. "Like father like son for Lebo". 10 June 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2014.