Phiri: Manyama came back a better player

Alfred Phiri says Lebogang Manyama joined Kaizer Chiefs at the right time, having previously turned down the club for SuperSport United.

The 29-year-old midfielder was playing for Ajax Cape Town in 2014 when he made the switch to Matsatsantsa.

He was reportedly all set to join Chiefs but opted for SuperSport instead.

After three productive seasons, that included time on loan with Mpumalanga Black Aces, Manyama joined Cape Town City, ahead of a short spell in Turkey before finally becoming a Chiefs player.

Speaking to KickOff, Phiri said: "I think at end of the day it happened and there's no regret at all, I think he came to Chiefs at the right time when he is ready.

"He is more experienced than that time. I know people have a different view about it but you see if he is going to make it or not, I think before he was not yet ready to go...like he is now. He is more mature, he is more experienced now.

"I think it helped you know. Sometimes when you go to a big team you don't play and then it will kill your morale. I think the route he took is a good one."

Phiri, who played for Alexandra United, Jomo Cosmos, Genclerbirligi, Samsunspor, Ajax Cape Town, Moroka Swallows and SuperSport United added: "He learnt a lot when he went to SuperSport, when he went overseas from Cape Town City, and when he came back he was a better player. Like he is a better player now.

"It helped him a lot as a person to find himself. But coming to Chiefs now, I think he is ready...you know he is pushing the team, he is carrying the team."

- TEAMtalk media