Player Profile | |
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Name | Thibang Phete |
Nationality | South African |
Date of Birth | April 4, 1994 |
Club | Belenenses |
Position | Centre Back |
History of Thibang Phete
Thibang Phete grew up in Kimberley, South Africa and his career started at a local club, Stars of Africa. After impressing in the academy, Phete drew the attention of professional South African first division club Milano United FC.
Once he signed for Milano in the 2013/14 season, Phete’s reputation grew and he soon attracted the attention of professional clubs in Europe. Eventually, he became one of the best soccer players in South Africa.
Thibang Phete In South Africa
Phete’s only time in South African soccer was when he represented Milano United FC in the 2013/14 season. During his breakthrough campaign, Phete made five appearances before Portuguese clubs started to notice his talent.
Thibang Phete International Career
In 2014, Phete was scouted and recruited by Tourizense, a professional Portuguese soccer team. Since he joined this club, Phete has remained in Portugal, where he has forged his soccer career.
Below are the clubs this South African defender has represented during his playing time.
Tourizense
During his breakthrough season in Portugal, Phete only featured in 15 matches for Tourizense. Phete was one of four other players signed from South Africa. Three of his compatriots joined Tourizense from Phete’s former boyhood club, Stars of Africa.
After impressing in the lower league, Phete was signed by Vitória Guimarães on a free transfer.
Vitória Guimarães
Despite joining Guimarães in August 2015, in the pre-season, Phete did not make his debut at the club until November.
The young defender struggled to hold a place down in the first team in his first season. As a result, Phete was sent to the Guimarães second team, Guimarães B, for the following two seasons.
However, the South African centre back made a name for himself whilst in the B team. Over two seasons, Phete made 55 appearances and scored three goals.
Famalicão
Such strong performances from Phete earned him a permanent move to Primeira Liga club Famalicão. Yet again, Phete couldn’t break into the first team and was used mostly in the under 23s in a frustrating season.
Belenenses
By the end of the 2019/20 season, Phete was on the move in Portugal again. This time, the defender joined Primeira Liga side Belenenses.
Eventually, Phete was given regular game time, and he made 14 appearances for Belenenses in his first season. After becoming a regular at the club, he was signed in 2020 permanently. Since becoming a first-team starter at Belenenses in recent years, Phete has also broken into the South Africa national team on occasion.
Bafana Bafana
So far, Phete has three international caps for Bafana Bafana. The defender made his first appearances for South Africa in October 2020, when he started the match as a centre back.
However, he would have to wait nearly a year before his next international cap came. In November 2021, Phete featured in 1-0 win against Zimbabwe and a 1-0 loss against Ghana in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Thibang Phete Teams | |
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Team | Period |
Milano United FC | 2013-2014 |
Tourizense | 2014-2015 |
Vitória Guimarães | 2015-2019 |
Famalicão | 2019-2020 |
Belenenses | 2020-2021 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Thibang Phete
Below are some of the most common questions asked about soccer player Thibang Phete.
This soccer player currently represents Belenenses in the Portuguese first division.
At present, this South African player earns an estimated $100,000 per year.
Phete is a defensive player who plays in a centre back position.
This player is right-footed.
In 1994, Phete was born in Kimberley, a city in Northern South Africa.
Phete does not currently have a defined number in the South Africa national team.