Edmilson Dove’s former team-mate in Mozambique has explained why the versatile defender is soaring like a dove at Kaizer Chiefs.
UD Songo FC captain John Banda tells FARPost he has been following Dove’s match-winning displays for Chiefs with keen interest.
“We are always in touch. He is doing good. He is playing in every game now. Two man-of-the-match awards,” he said.
PSL EXPERIENCE PROVING HANDY
Banda said Dove’s versatility has offered Amakhosi coach Arthur Zwane options to feature him even as a centre-back.
The former Cape Town City’s left-back also did not need to adapt to the PSL as he knows the league well, according to the Songo midfielder.
“I am not surprised at all. He is a great player, and the good thing is that he has been there before. He knows the league and its demands,” he tells FARPost.
Dove has won back-to-back man-of-the-match accolades in the 2-1 and 3-1 wins over Swallows and Stellenbosch.
HITTING HEADLINES IN MOZAMBIQUE
The Mambas defender has also been hitting headlines back home in Mozambique.
The neighbouring country’s leading Portuguese newspaper Journal Noticia flashed a back page lead story headlined: ‘Edmilson best on the field in Chiefs victory.’
Zwane signed the wing-back two months ago after being impressed with his return to form while representing the Mambas at the 2022 Cosafa Cup held in Durban in July this year.
Dove made a name while at Cape Town City for over three seasons until last season.
The 28-year-old returned home to sign for Songo in February 2022 in a bid to recapture his form, which had dipped due to niggling injuries.
City coach Eric Tinkler had made it clear to the Mozambican international that he was not guaranteed regular football due to stiff competition, which he was expecting.
Dove earlier admitted that injuries contributed to his exit from City.
“After my injury, a lot of things did not go the way I wanted them to go, but I cannot dwell on that…doors will open, and I am willing to take the next step when that happens,” he said.
He said he was helping the new generation of Mozambican players appreciate the importance of playing in international competitions such as Cosafa.
Chiefs, the four-time league champions, finished last season in South Africa empty-handed.
There is hope for an end soon to such a dry spell, as while striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana is delivering the goods upfront, Dove is leading from the back.
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