Kaizer Chiefs striker Flavio Silva has responded to critics questioning his qualities, insisting that he’s not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
Silva is fresh from helping Amakhosi claim their fourth successive victory in the Betway Premiership after beating TS Galaxy 2-0 at FNB Stadium this past weekend. The towering forward netted the opening goal for Chiefs in the first-half while Glody Lilepo scored the second goal to seal maximum points.
Chiefs’ win against Galaxy saw them solidify their third spot on the league table with 42 points in 22 games. In their past four matches, the Soweto giants claimed wins against Durban City FC, Magesi FC, Orbit College FC, and TS Galaxy. Their mission is to return to continental football next season.
And having turned their fortunes around after a slump that included a 3-0 loss to arch-rivals Orlando Pirates a few weeks ago, Silva is one of the Amakhosi players contributing to the club’s resurgence. He is the current
The Guinea-Bissau striker has scored one goal and provided an assist in the last two games for Chiefs. Overall, Silva has made 24 appearances across all competitions, scoring eight goals and contributing one assist.
WHAT SILVA SAID ABOUT FACING CRITICISM AT KAIZER CHIEFS
While Silva has proven to be clinical in front of goal, he had a tough start to life at Chiefs after facing heavy criticism on social media. The 30-year-old has addressed the criticism, acknowledging that he doesn’t have the audacious skills of European stars such as Ronaldo and Messi, but he knows how to make movements in the final third to score goals.
“For me, the criticism is not personal; it’s okay. It means I’m not playing well, and I can improve, since I’m playing well. I know they’re [Chiefs supporters] going to greet me, respect me, and give me love. So for me, it is no problem. It is part of the game,” said Silva.
“It’s always about the team; I tell my teammates that I can score a lot of goals, but I’m not Messi or Ronaldo. I’m not going to dribble three or four players to score a goal. I make my movements, and my teammates will pass me [the ball], and it’s always about the team.”
In the current campaign, he is Kaizer Chiefs’ joint top goalscorer across all competitions alongside Glody Makabi Lilepo with eight goals, and he is eager to reach double figures before the season ends.
“I’m happy, and even happier now with these four consecutive wins,” added Silva. “It is good for the team and good for everybody at the club. I have nothing to complain about. This is the kind of atmosphere I love to be in. Since I was a child, I prayed to play for a club like this, a big club with big pressure.
“For me, it is a dream to play for a club like this. It is good pressure and a big responsibility, but it is the kind of pressure I prefer.”
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