“The Numbers Don’t Lie”: How Amakhosi’s Low-Key Signing Became Their Most Lethal Weapon
Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef hailed Flavio Da Silva’s “intelligence” after the striker netted his ninth goal of the season against Magesi.
The Guinea-Bissau forward’s clinical form has propelled Amakhosi to a fifth consecutive win and third in the Premiership.
Silva, who arrived with little fanfare during the off-season, has recently emerged as Chiefs’ go-to goal scorer.
As Amakhosi cruised past bottom-placed Magesi at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday in a Betway Premiership clash, Silva opened the scoring with a well-taken effort, swivelling his body after Glody Lilepo kept the ball in play.
The 29-year-old found the net for the second consecutive match, having also scored a header in their 2–0 victory over TS Galaxy last weekend.
The Guinea-Bissau international, who previously stated that he cannot be compared to Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of goal-scoring, has now netted nine times across all competitions and provided two assists, establishing himself as a focal point in Chiefs’ attack.
Despite his impact, Silva was substituted at half-time against Magesi, with Ben Youssef and co-coach Cedric Kaze bringing on Khanyisa Mayo.
Mayo went on to score the fourth goal, adding to strikes from Wandile Duba and Mdu Shabalala, who found the net in either half, as Chiefs strengthened their grip on third place — a position that secures CAF Confederation Cup qualification for next season.
“I don’t think it’s for me to discuss Silva. He has shown since the start of the season that he’s the type of striker who can score in any situation inside the box,” said Ben Youssef.
“He’s very smart and intelligent in the box, and he’s helping the team.
“He’s now on seven goals, and even today [Wednesday], you saw the kind of technical, individual goal he scored.
“He helped us because we didn’t start the game very well, and his goal made things easier for us.”
Da Silva will look to continue his fine form when Chiefs take on Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
Following their midweek victory, the Soweto giants confirmed they will remain in Limpopo as they aim to make it two wins from two.
