Dove excited by fans’ team selection
SOWETO giants Kaizer Chiefs are stepping up their preparations ahead of a long day at the office in the Carling Black Label Cup tomorrow.
Amakhosi will take part in the second semi-final of the day as they collide with Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates at noon at the FNB Stadium.
The unique nature of the Black Label Cup has presented an interesting challenge for the Glamour Boys.
The inclusion of a long-time club servant in Eric Mathoho, who was voted in by the supporters, in the starting XI has meant the current team don't have a natural right-back on the field.
Edmilson Dove, who is one of the most versatile members of the Chiefs squad will line up with Mathoho, Njabulo Ngcobo and Sfiso Hlanti in defence.
“At the end of the day this is the selection made by the fans and I'm 100% sure that they’re looking forward to seeing the players they selected for that occasion so I think we're going to have to adjust as we've always done,” the Mozambique international said.
“I wasn’t a centre-back myself but I currently find myself playing as a centre-back so as football players we need to learn to adjust to playing in any role we’re given on the field and I think that’s what's going to happen.”
The 28-year-old is in the prime of his career and it was a major surprise when he departed Cape Town City at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, joining Chiefs and after four months at his new club, expressing his gratitude to the fans for their continued support.
“This is a big club, the number of supporters here is huge and I felt that from the first day I walked into Chiefs and that’s what we appreciate the most. Things haven't gone our way sometimes and having that support is what we want. This is a privilege for me. As a football player you want to play at packed stadiums so you can’t ask for more if you're playing for Chiefs considering the amount of fans they have.”