Lebogang Phiri
Lebogang Lelani Phiri (born 9 November 1994) is a South African professional footballer who plays for Turkish Süper Lig club Çaykur Rizespor and the South Africa national team. 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. 2012–13 season. 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. He soon became a member of  the first team, claiming a spot as a defensive midfielder in the line-up, due to injuries and suspensions. He made his debut (in jersey number 34) in the away game against OB on 28 April 2013 which was won 2–1. Phiri retained his spot for the remaining four games of the season in which Brøndby were undefeated while 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. 2013–14 season. Phiri signed 28 June 2013 a new four-year contract which tied him to  the club until the summer 2017. He was officially promoted to the first team and handed jersey number 18. He had a rough start on the season as Brøndby IF decided to sign Martin Ørnskov as an reinforcement and replacement for him in defensive midfield. But 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 former Danish international Thomas Kahlenberg. He returned to the starting line-up in November playing in a 3–0 home victory against Aarhus GF. 2014–15 season. On 31 July 2014, Phiri made his Europa League debut in the starting line-up in a 3–0 away defeat against Belgian side Club Brugge. Following a winter mid-season preparation with much playtime Phiri managed to settle as one of manager Thomas Frank's favourites which was rewarded with a call-up to the South Africa national team. He made his debut coming off the bench during the second half  in the Bafana's 3–1 victory over Swaziland on 25 March 2015 which earned him a slot on the Wall of Honour at Brøndby Stadium. 2015–16 season. Phiri started the season with a slot among the starting-11 in a 9–0 home victory against San Marino side A.C. Juvenes/Dogana in the Europa League qualification. Phiri chose a new agent, former Danish international Søren Lerby to represent him during the forthcoming career decisions and contract negotiations. On 20 March 2016, Phiri was named MoM by both sponsors and supporters after a performance against Esbjerg fB. Afterwards, he revealed that he felt  ready to take the next step in his career while being open for a contract extension with Brøndby IF. A week later, Phiri got his South Africa under-23 debut in the starting line-up in the 3–1 defeat against Brazil under-23 during the Olympic Games 2016 preparation before being substituted off during the half time break. Phiri crowned his season by winning the leading Brøndby dedicated media 3point.dk player of the season award, a prize based on the readers' votes after each game in the season. He had twice as many points as the club legend Daniel Agger who came  in third after Frederik Rønnow. 2016–17 season. During the pre-season Phiri represented South Africa U23 in the COSAFA Castle cup in Namibia where he started and led his team to a 3–2 win against Botswana. He scored his first U23 goal (2–1) in the 5–1 semi-final victory against Swaziland. Phiri started contract negotiations with Brøndby after returning from COSAFA Castle Cup. Both the club and Phiri stated a common interest in an agreement but Phiri also said that he was keeping his options open. During the negotiations he revealed that Brøndby had rejected an offer from the Austria  side Rapid Vienna. After weeks of negotiations Brøndby decided to put pressure on Phiri as they rejected his wish of representing his country at the Olympics 2016 in Rio without a signed contract extension. On 28 May 2017, Brøndby announced that Phiri would leave the club at the end of his contract due to his ambition for a new challenge. Guingamp. On 30 May 2017, EA Guingamp announced that Phiri had penned a four-year-contract tying him to the club until the summer 2021. Çaykur Rizespor. Phiri joined Süper Lig club Çaykur Rizespor on a three-year contract in  July 2021. Personal life. Phiri hails from Alexandra and is the son of former Vaal Professionals player Esau Phiri. Honours. South Africa