Thibang Phete: SA defender leaves Famalicão for LigaNos rivals Belenenses SAD

Phete, 25, joined the newly-promoted side in the off-season after four years with Vitória Guimarães in search of regular first-team football.

However, after arriving with an injury, the Stars of Africa academy graduate struggled to break in the first XI as they defied expectations and currently sit in fourth place behind Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Benfica.

Kgaogelo Chauke (17) Southampton central midfielder.

Bradley Cross (19) - Schalke 04 centre-back.

Tashreeq Matthews (19) - Varberg BoIS winger on loan from Borussia Dortmund.

Khanya Leshabela (20) - Leicester City central midfielder, winger.

Tsoanelo Letsosa (16) Celtic FC central midfielder.

Nikola Tavares (21) - Crystal Palace centre-back.

Keanin Ayer (19) - Varberg BoIS central midfielder, wing-back.

Kobamelo Kodisang (20) - Braga B winger.

Gift Links (21) - Aarhus GF winger

Boipelo Mashigo (16) - SpVgg Unterhaching winger.

As a result, Belenenses moved quickly to secure the services of the technically gifted centre-back to bolster their ailing defence.

"[Thibang] Cafú Phete is [our new] reinforcement until 2022," the club announced on Thursday.

"A powerful 25-year-old 1.87m player who can play both in midfield and in defence! Welcome Cafú."

Phete becomes the second South African at the club with Sphephelo Sithole (20) already within the ranks of the side managed by Portugal legend Petit.

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