Edmilson Dove suffered an injury that sidelined him during Kaizer Chiefs’ pre-season camp in Turkey, and he has not participated in any matches since.
The Mozambican player has four months remaining on his contract. At the end of last season, the Soweto giants triggered the one-year option on his contract.
Interestingly, the left-back position, which is Dove’s speciality, has become a crisis point for Amakhosi coach Nasreddine Nabi. This situation arose after the departure of Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, who recently joined Libyan giants Al Ittihad.
‘TT’ had begun to establish himself in the left-back role, and his exit has left a significant gap in the team. Following that, Bradley Cross struggled during the 4-1 defeat to SuperSport United, while his second-half replacement, Happy Mashiane, did not improve the situation either.
Nabi’s hopes now rest on Edmilson Dove, who was deregistered due to his injury at the season’s start.
WHAT IS EDMILSON DOVE’S SITUATION CURRENTLY
Nabi recently hinted that Dove was near a return to playing competitive football. Ahead of the Chippa United match in the Nedbank Cup Last 16, Nabi said: “Solomons and Dove need time to play friendly matches and get themselves fit.”
Following their last match against SuperSport last Tuesday, Chiefs had 12 days to prepare for the upcoming game. Indications suggest that Amakhosi have engaged in friendly matches to help players like Solomons and Dove regain their fitness.
Dove was reportedly re-registered to play for Chiefs in December, allowing him to play as soon as he is fit enough to do so.
Meanwhile, Chiefs will take on Mamelodi Sundowns in their next Betway Premiership encounter. The game, pencilled in for Saturday, was originally scheduled to be played at Loftus Stadium. However, the PSL announced that the game has been moved to Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Amakhosi and Masandawana have already met twice this season. In the reverse league fixture, Sundowns emerged 2-1 winners before a 4-1 win in the Carling Knockout Cup.
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