Bafana Bafana defender Thibang ‘Cafu’ Phete has returned to Portugal with GD Chaves after a stint in the United Arab Emirates.
Phete, 29, left B-SAD after their relegation from the Primeira Liga for a move to Al Bataeh, ending his eight-year stint in Portugal.
The Stars of Africa product went on to only feature 13 times in an injury-hit 2022/23 season in the Gulf and has now returned to Liga Portugal as he looks to get his career back on track ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in January.
Phete, who turned out for Vitória SC, FC Famalicão and B SAD in the Portuguese top flight was a regular feature in Hugo Broos’ squad before his move to the UAE.
And the defender, who’s also comfortable in a six role, will now look to create further headaches for the national team coach whose preferred paring has been Mothobi Mvala and Siyanda Xulu in his recent squad selections.
He becomes the second South African to have represented the club after Luther Singh while he’s one of three in the Portuguese top-flight this season.
Kobamelo Kodisang is currently on the books of Moreirense while Nkanyiso Shinga represents newly-promoted FC Estrela de Amadora.
