Kaizer Chiefs interim coach, Khalil Ben Youssef, has opened up on Flávio Silva’s showing thus far following the Portuguese’s late strike, which saw Amakhosi pick up maximum points away to Durban City FC on Friday night.
Silva joined Amakhosi from the Indonesian side, Persebaya Surabaya, in July to bolster the Soweto giant’s attack.
The striker has made a total of four appearances from a possible ten in the Betway Premiership thus far.
“We have Silva, we have Duba, we have Ashley [Du Preez], we have Morris, we have Ighodaro, all of them fight for one position. I think the most important thing, a striker in their life is scoring goals,” said Ben Youssef.
His goalscoring record makes for pleasant reading, as the 29-year-old has found the back of the net three times in his four league appearances.
“I’m so happy for Silva, now it’s the second game he’s coming from the bench, and he scored. After the Golden Arrows game, he got a short injury, so he was out. Now he’s back with us,” said Ben Youssef.
The Bissau-born striker arrived at Naturena to much fanfare after a fruitful spell in the Indonesian top-flight, where he netted 39 goals in 78 league appearances.
This campaign has been frustrating for the former Portuguese youth international, as he has spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch.
“In the last game, he got a short injury a day before the game, a head injury; he was not available for us in the cup game, now he’s back. He will start step by step, but the most important thing is that he scored,” added the Tunisian.
The former Kaizer Chiefs Assistant Coach also singled out Brandon Petersen for praise after a string of impressive performances.
“I think every game we say congratulations to Petersen, congratulations to the goalkeeper coach for the good job he’s doing with them. The target of Petersen is to come back to Bafana Bafana, to be part of the national team, that’s his target in his life, and we are following him,” added the Tunisian tactician.
The 31-year-old goalkeeper was also touted as a potential Bafana Bafana player for the AFCON tournament in Morocco this December by his boss.
“I think he needs to continue to work, to put pressure on the coach of the national team. Why not be part of the squad in AFCON?” said Ben Youssef.
The Kaizer Chiefs faithful will certainly hope that their goalkeeper continues firing on all cylinders as they look to keep their momentum.
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