Another silly season – as the transfer window is otherwise known – is upon us and Kaizer Chiefs defender Edmilson Dove is one of the names to possibly dominate the headlines with rumours of ins and outs at clubs set to circulate in the coming weeks. With the left-footed star on national duty with Mozambique at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire, his work-rate hasn't gone unnoticed, with well-placed sources confirming that scouts are keeping an eye on the versatile player. Dove has entered the last six months of his contract with the Soweto giants and the possibility of him leaving for greener pastures has been bandied about according to informants, although a final decision on his future will still be dependent on the club. What could be the Naturena-based side's reason for playing a waiting game on such a prized asset? The Siya crew has gathered some information on the possible options for the club and the former Cape Town City man in the next five months.
What the Siya crew has been told…
Kaizer Chiefs defender Edmilson Dove is attracting interest with several scouts from different parts of the world understood to be in Cote d'Ivoire to watch him play for Mozambique at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Siya crew has been reliably informed. The player is said to be willing to take his career to another level by possibly securing an overseas move and will be using the rest of his national team's games in the tournament to further impress.
At Naturena, he is already one of the fan-favourites and a standout performer under interim coach Cavin Johnson, who is an admirer of his talent. With the player's contract nearing an end, the club has kept their cards close to their chest about the plans for the 29-year-old.
"Edmilson Dove had a good start at the Africa Cup of Nations with his inspiring performance for the national team of Mozambique as they drew 2-2 with Egypt in the opening match last weekend. It might still be early in the tournament, but the player has already impressed scouts from some of the clubs from around the world," said a source.
"There are scouts from a club in Saudi Arabia that are following the player seriously and you can expect them to make an offer for his services after the tournament as long as he continues to do well," added the source.
Dove's contract with Amakhosi runs until June this year and the club hasn't yet exercised their one-year option to extend the deal, according to the source.
"It's true that the player's contract with Chiefs has entered the last six months. He signed a two-year contract when he joined Chiefs in 2022, and while the club has an option to extend the deal by one more year, it hasn't been exercised. It isn't clear what Chiefs are planning to do, but being the big club that they are and how they like to take their time on issues to do with contracts, don't be surprised if the option gets exercised at a later stage," the informant explained.
It has been confirmed to the Siya crew that while Dove is still very much happy at the Glamour Boys with regards to how he is treated and the club's professionalism, he would welcome an opportunity to secure his future for life after football with a big-money move overseas, should an opportunity arise. With sources confirming interest from Saudi Arabia, it could rule out the possibility of him signing a new deal in Naturena even if he stays beyond the current season if the club decides to exercise the option.
"At his age, the next deal for Dove could be his last big one considering that if he signs for three years, it would take him to around the age of 33. Therefore, a decision that he will be made after the Afcon should be a wise one regarding his future. This doesn't mean that he will be forced to leave Chiefs, but it will have to be a decision will suit everybody," shared the source.
While he is originally a left back, Dove has been used mostly as a centre-back under Johnson as he can play in different positions in true modern football fashion. Sources have hinted that Bafana Bafana defender Sifiso Hlanti's situation could influence Amakhosi in deciding on Dove. Hlanti, who until recently has been a regular left back for the national team, will also see his contract with the club come to an end at the end of June.
"Dove isn't the only player whose contract is coming to an end and that's why Chiefs could take their time in deciding, because there are a few other players to consider. But his (Dove's) situation is a little bit different because there are clubs interested in his services, including those from abroad," said the mole.
While indications are that under the current technical team Dove might stand a good chance of a longer Chiefs stay, the club could wait until the coaching plans for next season are finalised to decide on players. It has been widely reported that the Soweto giants could appoint a new coach at the end of the season to take over from Johnson, with the club already being linked with several top coaches from around the world since Molefi Ntseki's contract was terminated by mutual consent in October, as confirmed by the Soweto giants.
What Are The Facts?
Chiefs have taken note of Dove's progress at Afcon, and judging by their reaction on how he performed, it seems that the club has been impressed. Following Mozambque's 2-2 draw against Egypt, the Naturena side commented glowingly about the defender's performance on their official website.
"Amakhosi defender Edmilson Dove put in a masterful performance in Mozambique's opening match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) against Egypt on Sunday, as the Mambas came agonisingly close to upsetting the Pharaohs in their Group B encounter at the Felix Houphouet Boigny stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast," Chiefs said, in part.
"Dove was a standout at the back for Mozambique, repeatedly repelling waves of Egyptian attacks, as they tried vainly to hold on for what would have been their first-ever victory at an Afcon tournament," the club stated. Meanwhile, Dove said, as quoted on Chiefs' website.
"We knew it wasn't going to be an easy game. Obviously, we were playing one of the best national teams in Africa, but our coach told us at half-time to keep believing in ourselves and the process we have been working on throughout the entire qualification campaign, and we came out for the second half with some confidence and a desire to put in more effort, and we turned things around. Obviously, we wanted to take all three points, but in the end, a draw is still a positive outcome and now our focus shifts to our two remaining games."
The Mozambican international will be expected to play a pivotal role for his national team in their quest to advance to the next round of the competition as they will be taking on Cape Verde at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Friday in their second fixture of the group stages. For Amakhosi, the dreadlocked man has made eight appearances so far this season and scored one goal since recovering from an injury that troubled him earlier in the campaign.
The Story Behind The Scenes
Chiefs hoping for another Ngezana situation?
In June last year, the club sold their former defender and club development product Siyabonga Ngezana to Fotbal Club FCSB in Romania in a deal believed to have been worth millions of rands. While they highlighted in their statement confirming Ngezana's exit that they were sad, the club was pleased about allowing the player an opportunity to further his career abroad. The same can happen for Dove, judging by the reported interest in his services, and if Chiefs do manage to get a replacement for him. For the club to be able to cash in on any deal though, they would have to exercise their option on the player's contract. At the time the Soweto giants sold Ngezana, the centre-back still had one year remaining from the three-year contract extension he signed in 2021, and the Gold and Black could look at concluding the same kind of a deal for Dove if the option is exercised.
Dove replacement identified…
In an event where the Glamour Boys could lose Dove, it seems that they have already identified a potential replacement for the hardworking player, according to well-placed sources. Stellenbosch FC defender Fawaaz Basadien has emerged as one of the main targets for the side, sources have confirmed, as previously reported by Soccer Laduma. Basadien, 27, has had an impressive season with the Winelands outfit and was one of the key players in the team's triumph of the Carling Knockout trophy in December. With their good working relationship with Stellies, Amakhosi will aim to conclude another bumper deal with the Western Cape side in what could also see Zitha Kwinika, who is linked with an exit, going the opposite direction in a player plus cash transaction, as hinted by sources in the know.
Secret Agent
The Siya crew spoke to a top agent in SA to get their expert understanding on what's going on. For obvious reasons, the agent will remain anonymous.
"Firstly, I don't see Chiefs not exercising the option on Edmilson Dove's contract, otherwise it would be a big mistake if that is allowed to happen. Secondly, I would understand if the player was to be interested in an overseas move because that would be a big stage for him to further his career and he is in a stage in his career where leaving for greener pastures would make sense. He isn't young anymore and he is playing the best football of his career for club and national team. It would make sense for him to move after the Afcon if reported interest from overseas is anything to go by. That is the same way he joined Chiefs, if I remember well, after doing well for the national team in the COSAFA Cup. At his age, the player needs to make as much money as he possibly can to secure his future as his next big deal could be the last big one of his career. Depending on what Chiefs may put on the table, expect the player to go for a financially rewarding offer in his next deal."
Watch This Space
With there being no guarantees in football, the next five months will be crucial for Chiefs and Dove to decide on the next step. The more the player performs well in the Afcon, the more chances of him getting his mind swayed to potentially agreeing with a potential suitor even if it means in the form of verbal communication. While the Soweto giants might be waiting on the defender to return from national duty, it may be already late for discussions by the time he returns for the second half of the season depending on what he and his camp get from Cote d'Ivoire. Depending on the offer on the table, Dove could be set for his last season in the PSL, but one thing that Amakhosi would hate would be to lose the player on a free. As things stand, the dreadlocked star is in a win-win situation as money will influence his decision whether he goes local or overseas in deciding the next move.
