Thibang Phete

Cafu Phete
Personal information
Full name Thibang Sindile Theophilus Pete
Date of birth (1994-04-04) 4 April 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Kimberley, South Africa
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 1+12 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder, centre-back
Youth career
Milano United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2014 Milano United
2014–2015 Tourizense 15 (0)
2015–2016 Vitória SC 11 (0)
2015–2019 Vitória SC B 67 (4)
2019–2020 Famalicão 1 (0)
2020B-SAD (loan) 14 (0)
2020–2022 B-SAD 53 (1)
2022–2023 Al Bataeh 11 (0)
2023–2024 Chaves 9 (0)
International career
2020– South Africa 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13 June 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 25 August 2023

Thibang Sindile Theophilus Phete (born 4 April 1994), known as Cafu Phete, is a South African professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or centre-back for the South African national team.

Club career

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Early career

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Born in Kimberley, South Africa, Phete began his career in the National First Division with Cape Town-based club Milano United, having previously graduated from the Stars of Africa Academy.[1] In 2014, he joined Portuguese Campeonato Nacional de Seniores side Tourizense with whom he spent one season.[2]

Vitória S.C.

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On 13 August 2015, Primeira Liga side Vitória S.C. announced the signing of Phete from Tourizense.[3] He made his debut for the club on 28 November in a 2–1 win over Boavista during which he was booked in the 29th minute before being substituted at half-time for Otávio.[4] He made 12 appearances over the course of the season as Vitória ended in ninth spot on the Primeira Liga table.[5] At the end of the season Phete was joined at the club by fellow countrymen Bongani Zungu and Haashim Domingo who had signed for the upcoming season.[6] He failed to appear for the senior side in the following two seasons, however, after he was moved to the club's reserve squad, Vitória S.C. B.

Famalicão

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In June 2019, Phete left Guimarães to sign for fellow Primeira Liga side Famalicão on a three-year deal.[7]

B-SAD

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In January 2020, Famalicão sent Phete on loan to Primeira Liga side B-SAD until the end of the 2019–20 season. On 1 August 2020, B-SAD announced the permanent signing of Phete on a two-year contract.[8]

Al Bataeh

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In July 2022, after his contract with B-SAD had expired, Phete signed for UAE Pro League side Al Bataeh.[9]

Chaves

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On 14 August 2023, Phete returned to Portugal, signing a one-year contract with Primeira Liga side Chaves.[10]

International career

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He made his international debut for South Africa on 8 October 2020 in a 1–1 draw with Namibia.[11]

Career statistics

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As of match played 22 January 2023[12]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Tourizense 2014–15 Campeonato Nacional de Seniores 15 0 0 0 15 0
Vitória SC 2015–16 Primeira Liga 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
Vitória SC B 2015–16 LigaPro 12 0 12 0
2016–17 LigaPro 8 0 8 0
2017–18 LigaPro 21 1 21 1
2018–19 LigaPro 26 3 26 3
Total 67 4 67 4
Famalicão 2019–20 Primeira Liga 1 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
B-SAD (loan) 2019–20 Primeira Liga 14 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
B-SAD 2020–21 Primeira Liga 27 1 2 0 29 1
2021–22 Primeira Liga 26 0 3 0 1 0 30 0
Total 67 1 5 0 1 0 73 1
Al Bataeh 2022–23 UAE Pro League 11 0 0 0 1 0 12 0
Chaves 2023–24 Primeira Liga 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career Total 172 5 7 0 2 0 181 5

References

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  1. ^ "Ex-Milano midfielder Thibang Phete progressing at Portugal's Vitória Guimarães". Kick Off. 10 November 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  2. ^ Ferreira, Bruno (13 August 2015) (13 August 2015). "V. Guimarães: Thibang Phete contratado ao Tourizense" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 12 February 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "Thibang Phete Reforca Vimaranenses" (in Portuguese). Record. 13 August 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  4. ^ "Thibang Phete makes his starting debut for Portugal's Vitoria Guimaraes". Kick Off. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  5. ^ "South African Players Abroad". Soccer Laduma. 14 May 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  6. ^ "SA players abroad: Patosi, Jali, Phete, Claasen, Serero". Kick Off. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  7. ^ Kohler, Lorenz (15 October 2019). "Thibang Phete: Cafu targets first-team spot with Primeira Liga leaders Famalicão". Kick Off. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Cafú Phete assina em definitivo pelo Belenenses SAD" [Cafú Phete signs permanently for Belenenses SAD] (in European Portuguese). O Jogo. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Cafu Phete, ex-B SAD, ruma aos Emirados Árabes Unidos" [Cafu Phete, former B SAD, heads to UAE] (in European Portuguese). O Jogo. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Cafú Phete é valente transmontano" [Cafú Phete is transmontano valiant]. gdchaves.pt (in European Portuguese). 14 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  11. ^ Hadebe, Sazi (9 October 2020). "Thabo Nodada catches the eye among Ntseki's Bafana debutants". The Sowetan. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  12. ^ Thibang Phete at Soccerway
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