Kaizer Chiefs left-back Edmilson Dove says he can’t ask for a better start in his life at the club after two back-to-back Man of the Match awards.
Dove was recently signed on a two-year deal by Amakhosi, returning to the PSL after he left Cape Town City in January last year.
He has slotted seamlessly in central defence at Chiefs, offering his versatility as left-sided centre back which he can also cover at the left-back if Sifiso Hlanti has bombed forward.
Coach Arthur Zwane tasked himself with getting a left-sided centre back to bring balance to his side during the off-season, as he felt that area was missing to complete the puzzle this season.
Zwane was trying to emulate what Stuart Baxter introduced to Chiefs in his first stint, playing Erick Mathono and Tefu Mashamaite (the latter as the left-side centre-back), as their balanced combination born fruit then, with Chiefs winning four titles under the British-born coach.
“It has been great so far,” said Dove.
“I’m settling in well and the guys I mean have given me the platform to express myself. The club is family oriented more than anything. Everything so far is going well for me.”
To play as the left-sided centre-back for Dove, is not new for the Mozambique international. At City when Benni McCarthy was a coach, he was tasked at times to play in that position when they had issues at centre-back.
McCarthy went on to even compare Dove with former Spain captain and great defender Sergio Ramos.
“As a footballer, you must expect periods of adaptation in any position,” Dove added. “For me personally, I already had an experience of playing in that position when I was still at Cape Town City.
“So it is not something new for me. But of course, each and every day you learn and I was given a role to play in that position which I took without thinking twice because what matters most is what the team gains out of it. For me, it has been great.
“I have guys who have been playing that position and have been helping me a lot – Zitha Kwinika, Njabulo Ngcobo, Siya Ngezane, who are naturally centre-backs. So communication is probably what makes it a bit easier.
“For me, it has been great. I have been expecting to play there because that is what I have been trained for. I can only thank the coach for giving me the opportunity to get stuck in there with the gents.”
Chiefs host Chippa United at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday (17:30), with Dove set to partner with the returnee Kwinika from suspension.
