Kaizer Chiefs fans were underwhelmed by the signing of striker Flavio Silva, but can he prove them wrong? Ask MAZOLA MOLEFE.
When Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi began the search for a “quality” striker, few expected the winner to come from the Indonesian Super League. Chiefs supporters were not anticipating an Erling Haaland signing, but they had hoped for a big name with a notable reputation.
The man they got: Flávio da Silva, a 29-year-old lanky forward from Guinea-Bissau with strong Portuguese influences.
Despite scoring 78 goals in 39 matches over two seasons at various clubs, some supporters had their eyes on more familiar names, such as Peter Shalulile or Percy Tau.
Shalulile, in the final year of his contract at Mamelodi Sundowns, was being phased out by coach Miguel Cardoso, making him a potential target.
Tau, meanwhile, was a free agent after leaving Qatar SC, which added appeal.
However Chiefs chose Da Silva based on his dominance in the Indonesian league, where he scored consistently.
The question now: could a striker thriving in Asia adapt to the South African topflight?
That challenge falls squarely on Da Silva. Fans who watched Da Silva during Chiefs’ pre-season tour in the Netherlands and the Toyota Cup friendly against Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko were less than convinced.
His official debut was further delayed by work permit issues, placing additional scrutiny on a player brought in to strengthen a key area of the squad.
Influential Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze recently gave his own assessment of the player.
“He is a player that trains very well; he is a player that scores goals in training. Maybe people think that all the strikers need to be like Thierry Henry or Robert Lewandowski – have skills to be able to play the way they do,” said Kaze.
“But it’s a different profile, he is a player that when he is in the box and there are two or three crosses you will find him in there, when there is a rebound you will find him there, when there is a shot, you will find him there. “It’s a player that has tremendous presence in the box and we need players like that.”
Nabi, for his part, says he was surprised by the criticism, especially since Da Silva was still adapting and the team itself was trying to gel.
“I was a little surprised to hear those negative comments, but once a player signs for Kaizer Chiefs, it’s our duty to protect him – to work closely and give him time to adapt,” Nabi said.
“That goes not only for Flávio but for any new player, including younger ones from our DDC (reserve league). You need to give all newcomers the same opportunity.” Chiefs fans, hungry for goals, will expect immediate returns. For Da Silva, the task is clear: adapt quickly and find consistency in his first season, while the team provides the support he needs to succeed.
