With the season nearly halfway through and a Kaizer Chiefs player yet to see any action, it is believed Amakhosi have finally made a decision regarding the international's future.
Siya sources at the club have indicated that Mozambican player Edmilson Dove is likely to see out his contract until June 2025, and that Chiefs may plan to let it expire and then part ways with the defender.
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The insiders added that with Dove recovering from an injury and the coach opting to give playing opportunities to Bradley Cross and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe on the left, Dove is unlikely to have a future with the team beyond this season.
"There was hope at some time that things could maybe work out for him but at this point in time his future at Chiefs will be coming to an end at the end of the season when his contract expires. The team has reached that decision looking at the situation around the defenders and mainly left back that he is apparently not needed. The club is believed to have communicated with the player about their decision and since he is still recovering from the injury then they will wait until the end of the season before they part ways," the Siya source stated.
A second insider stated that the club is considering reducing its squad size, which may involve releasing several players.
"Dove would not be the only player whose contract is not renewed at the end of the season. The club is trying to cut down their squad numbers and that's why Dove and other players whose contracts are coming to an end in June could be playing for the last time for the club. But all that will be communicated before the end of the season. So more players are expected to leave the village in June," the second source stated.
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The Mozambique player joined Chiefs as a free agent in 2022 after leaving Cape Town City. He initially signed a a two-year contract expiring in June 2024, and it was extended by a year until June 2025. Last season, Dove had played a fair amount of games but in his first season he had featured more often.
Due to a pre-season injury, he has not yet played in matches in this campaign.
Soccer Laduma reached out to Chiefs for comment but received no response at the time of preparing this story.
As Dove's tenure with Chiefs approaches its conclusion, the club's strategic focus on team dynamics and squad optimization becomes apparent. While Dove's contributions have been valued, the decision to part ways reflects both changing team needs and a broader vision for future success.
