Motaung Urges Patience For Silva And Others

Kaizer Chiefs Marketing and Commercial Director Jessica Motaung has appealed to the club’s supporters to give new players a fair chance, specifically highlighting striker Flavio Silva.

Silva faced online criticism during the recent pre-season camp in the Netherlands, where Chiefs played five friendly matches, winning only one.

Fans were unimpressed by Silva’s performance, drawing comparisons to Efmamjjasond Gonzalez, who struggled to make an impact at the club.

Gonzalez, a bulky striker, failed to capitalize on his season-long loan from Real Santa Cruz in the 2023/24 campaign, not scoring in 13 matches across all competitions.

In contrast, Silva, who has signed a contract with Chiefs until 2027, boasts a record of nine goals in 33 matches for his previous club, Persebaya Surabaya in Indonesia.

“My take on players, this is a pre-season. Players have to be given a chance—whether they are from the youth or coming from other teams or places,” Motaung stated during the jersey unveiling on Monday.

“It is important to give them a chance to really get to know the team, to play with different players they are playing with. So, I think our supporters need to give it time. The proof is in the pudding; let the players go on the pitch and do the work as the season progresses.”

Silva was one of several new signings for Chiefs ahead of next season, joining Ethan Chislett, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Paseko Mako, Thabiso Monyane, and Nkanyiso Shinga.

Having returned from their Netherlands pre-season camp, Chiefs are now set to travel to Durban to face Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko in the Toyota Cup friendly match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium this Saturday.