Kaizer Chiefs have received a timely boost ahead of their Carling Knockout Cup semi-final clash against Mamelodi Sundowns, with head coach Fernando da Cruz confirming that young attacker Langelihle Phili has returned to full training with the squad.

The 21-year-old has been sidelined for several weeks after suffering an ankle injury that disrupted his progress at Naturena. His absence meant he missed Chiefs' last eight matches, depriving the technical team of one of its promising attacking options.

Phili picked up the injury after Amakhosi played to a 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns on August 15. The setback came at a difficult time for the youngster, who was looking to establish himself and earn more opportunities in the first team.

Before getting injured, Phili had already shown signs of his potential. He found the back of the net against Sundowns after joining Chiefs from Stellenbosch FC, giving supporters a glimpse of what he could offer in the attacking department.

His performances had raised expectations among the Amakhosi faithful, but the ankle problem forced him to put his development on hold while focusing on recovery.

Da Cruz's latest update will therefore come as encouraging news to Chiefs supporters, particularly with the team preparing for a crucial encounter against Sundowns in the Carling Knockout Cup semi-finals.

The match is expected to be a challenging assignment for Amakhosi, given Sundowns' quality and experience in cup competitions. Having another attacking option available could give Da Cruz more flexibility when making his team selections.

However, Phili's return to full group training does not automatically mean he will feature in the semi-final. His availability will depend on his fitness levels and whether the medical and technical teams consider him ready to return to competitive football.

Chiefs are unlikely to take unnecessary risks with the youngster, especially after he spent several weeks recovering from the injury.

For now, his return to training is an encouraging development for the club. Having missed eight consecutive matches, Phili will be determined to regain his sharpness and compete for a place in the team.

Amakhosi supporters will be hoping his recovery continues smoothly as Chiefs prepare for their battle against Sundowns and their pursuit of the Carling Knockout Cup title.

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