The pre-season showing and struggles in the Portuguese lower divisions continues to raise questions about Flavio Silva before he even gets to play any official matches for Kaizer Chiefs.
Silva’s history from his time playing in the second and third division in Portugal – where he spent the bulk of his career, is defined by struggles with discouraging remarks emerging about he did there.
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The best time of his career has been in the semi-professional league of Indonesia where he has played for the past two-and-half years at Persik Kediri and Persebaya Surabaya.
Worth noting is that the Indonesia Liga 1 is lowly ranked and thus making a move to Chiefs a step-up.
What the Guinea-Bissau born striker has shown in pre-season justifies why there are so many questions about him.
"My take on the players is that this is pre-season," responds Jessica Motaung, the commercial and marketing director at Chiefs when asked about new signings, with specific mention of Silva.
"Players have to be given a chance whether they are coming from the youth or coming from other teams or other places.
"It is important to be given a chance to really get to know the team and get to play with different players.
"So, I think our supporters need to give them time.
"The proof is in the pudding, let the players get on the pitch and do the work as the season progresses," says Motaung.
Silva spent time in Sporting’s Under-19 team but after that became a nomadic footballer who went so low that he played semi-professional in the Terceira Divisao with Torreense.
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All his stints in the Portuguese second division with Benfica B, Union Madeira, and CD Mafra were not convincing and it was only in the third division that he fitted in.
Chiefs play in the Toyota Cup on Saturday against Asante Kotoko at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Photo: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
