Thibang Phete

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 Icelandic club Vestri and the South African national team.

Cafu Phete

Personal information
Full name	Thibang Sindile Theophilus Pete
Date of birth	(1994-04-04) 4 April 1994 (age 31)
Place of birth	Kimberley, South Africa
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 1+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Defensive midfielder, centre-back
Team information
Current team	Vestri
Number	5
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)
2020	→ B-SAD (loan)	14	(0)
2020–2022	B-SAD	53	(1)
2022–2023	Al Bataeh	11	(0)
2023–2024	Chaves	9	(0)
2025–	Vestri	10	(0)
International career‡
2020–	South Africa	4	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23 July 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 25 August 2023

Club career

Early career

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.

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

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

B-SAD

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

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

Chaves

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

International career

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

Career statistics

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

1. Includes Taça de Portugal
2. Includes Taça da Liga and UAE League Cup