Edmilson Dove has become the first Kaizer Chiefs player to have his ticket for the AFCON finals partially confirmed.
Dove has been named in Mozambique’s preliminary squad for tournament that will run from January 13 to February 11 in Cote d’Ivoire.
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CAF has set a deadline of December 14 for the submission for all 24 qualifying nations to submit their provisional squads of a maximum of 55 players for the tournament.
After the provisional squads, all qualifying nations must then submit their final squads of at least 23 players on January 3, 2024, with the option of naming another four players on the list.
The Mambas – who have named 46 players in their preliminary squad and are already in camp in Maputo with their local players – will set base in Abidjan play in Group B against Egypt, Ghana, and Cape Verde.
For Dove, the tournament will be his first if he is ultimately named in the final squad by Chiquinho Conde.
The 29-year-old has played seven of the last nine games qualifiers for Mozambique this year.
What will also make the tournament of significance for Dove is that with his contract set to expire at the end of June, he will be out to attract new suitors.
Dove will be available to sign a pre-contract with effect from the first of January as per the FIFA regulations and with the continental tournament starting the same month it will be the platform he needs.
Chiefs are yet to open talks with Dove – who can play at left-back and central defence.
Amakhosi have already signed a younger central defence option in Luke Fleurs, and they also have another left-footed centre back Aiden McCarthy in the squad with yet another quality option for the same position coming through from their Under-19 team.
Dove has played eight games and scored once so far this season at Chiefs.
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Polokwane City midfielder Manuel Kambala has also been named along with the former Mamelodi Sundowns pair of Luis Miquissone and Elias Pelembe.
Stanley Ratifo – who was on trials at Kaizer Chiefs – has also been included.
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