Latest news with #EdmilsonDove
TimesLIVE
23-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Edmilson Dove leaves contract extension talks at Chiefs 'in God's hands'
Some Kaizer Chiefs players will not only be fighting for three points in the club's final Betway Premiership match against Polokwane City at the FNB Stadium on Saturday but also to secure their futures. Chiefs need to win against Polokwane to have a chance to finish in the top eight — but for players such as defender Edmilson Dove and midfielder George Matlou, they'll be desperate to impress coach Nasreddine Nabi and the club's head honchos to have their stay at Naturena extended. Dove, 30, probably has a better chance than Matlou to earn a new contract as he's been a regular recently in that erratic Chiefs defence that has conceded 32 goals against the 25 they've scored. The left-footed Mozambican international has found himself being used at central defence and left-back. He has been one of the better defenders in Nabi's team. Speaking to reporters at Naturena before Saturday's match, Dove said the contract issue is not in his mind as the focus of everyone at the club is to ensure they finish in a better position than the 10th of last season, which was the club's worst in the league. 'We can only control what we can and whatever we can't we leave in God's hands. The most important thing is to focus on ourselves and we do the counting at the end.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
We have failed the club, says Edmilson Dove as Kaizer Chiefs chase PSL top-eight against Polokwane City
Edmilson Dove KAIZER Chiefs defender Edmilson Dove is calling on the whole team to fix their problems in the backline. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix It's a tale worn thin by time, yet here we are again – an up-and-down season unfolding its final chapter, with Kaizer Chiefs' fate hanging in the balance as the curtain falls on Saturday against Polokwane City at the FNB Stadium (3pm kick-off). The Amakhosi have endured a challenging campaign overall, marked by one of their worst defensive performances in recent memory. As they approach the final round, there's no margin for error – not just at the back, but also going forward, as victory is non-negotiable. They find themselves on a knife's edge, facing the bleak prospect of missing out on the MTN8 for a second consecutive season. The 2023/24 season was expected to be one to forget for the Phefeni Glamour Boys, yet somehow, they have slipped even further. Even a victory on Saturday won't see them surpass last season's 36-point total, and they have already conceded two more goals despite playing fewer matches. Still, there is a glimmer of hope, and defender Edmilson Dove believes that a win this weekend could ignite the spark the team needs to regroup and collect maximum points, as they aim for a stronger showing next season. 'Every game is crucial for us, especially with where we find ourselves on the table,' Dove said yesterday. 'We hoped we could have done better in the last game, especially knowing that we are playing to be in the top eight. 'But nothing is lost yet. 'We still have one more game to go, and we have been preparing on what we can do better for the upcoming game, and hopefully we can get all three points.' The Mozambican international has had to navigate a personal campaign interrupted by injuries, while also stepping up as a senior figure in a backline that has been plagued by their own injury setbacks throughout the season. Despite those challenges, Dove believes that as a group, the players could have done much more to prevent the Amakhosi from ending up in a position where their top-eight hopes rest on the final match-day. 'When I came here, I came to win titles and to improve not only as a player, but as a human being. he continued. 'This is one of the biggest teams in Africa, and when you come here, you come to win titles and not to build and not to find yourself in positions we currently find ourselves in. 'In my opinion, we have failed the club because we have failed to deliver. But that is why we are given chances to fight with every opportunity we have. "At this point in time, we can't dwell on the past, but we have to look forward and see what is ahead of us."
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Chiefs' Dove calls for focus as Amakhosi seek MTN8 spot
'We must put our celebrations aside and refocus on the league,' said the Chiefs defender this week. Kaizer Chiefs defender Edmilson Dove says Amakhosi need to quickly refocus after their Nedbank Cup triumph as they look to win their last two games and hopefully make it into next season's MTN8. ALSO READ: Chiefs' Peterson out to finish the season on a high Chiefs play Sekhukhune United on Saturday at the Peter Mokaba Stadium and then take on Polokwane City at FNB Stadium on May 24 to finish off their Betway Premiership season. Chiefs target six out of six Six points out of six are likely to be enough for ninth-placed Chiefs to climb into the top eight. However, while Chiefs had a brilliant run to the Nedbank Cup title, beating Orlando Pirates last Saturday to lift the trophy in Durban, their league form has been abysmal. Nasreddine Nabi's side have not won any of their last seven top flight matches and badly need to find a way to get back on the victory trail. 'We know the importance of Saturday's game, we must put our celebrations aside and refocus on the league,' said Dove this week. 'We have been training well, the mood is there, the energy is positive and hopefully we can go into the game with a clear idea of what needs to be done. That is what the coaches have been pushing us to do throughout our training sessions. They have been keeping the gents in check and making sure we have all the tools we need going into Saturday's game.' Even if Dove wants they focus to be on Sekhukhune, he admits it was a special moment last Saturday, when Chiefs beat the Buccaneers 2-1 to win a first trophy in ten years. 'It is a feeling you can't describe in words,' said Dove, who has returned to the Chiefs side this year after a long-term injury. 'Not only for ourselves, for the club, for the supporters and for the chairman, a person who has done so much for us. 'We went ten years without (a trophy) … I am 100 percent this trophy will stay a part of our lives for the longest time.' 'A difficult season' Chiefs are unlikely to find it easy against Sekhukhune. Eric Tinkler's side are third in the table and if they can stay there, they will qualify with Chiefs for next season's Caf Confederation Cup. 'It has been a difficult season but that is our main goal right now, trying to make sure by all means we end in the top eight,' added Dove. ALSO READ: Williams – If you want to win trophies, come to Sundowns 'There are no easy games but we are ready to fight for it … we know the threat they possess. But it is most important to focus on ourselves and try to fix what we can fix that we haven't been doing so well.'
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs turn their focus to the Top 8 aspirations after Nedbank Cup triumph
Edmilson Dove his Kaizer Chiefs' teammates must regroup after their Nedbank Cup celebrations so as to reach their Top 8 objective in the Betway Premiership. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Kaizer Chiefs defender Edmilson Dove says the team must suspend their Nedbank Cup celebrations to fully focus on securing a Top 8 finish. Chiefs revived their 'Cup Kings' reputation last weekend by winning the Nedbank Cup, defeating Orlando Pirates in the final to end a 10-year trophy drought. The victory sent the club into celebration mode, with festivities including presenting the trophy to chairman Kaizer Motaung. Amid the jubilation, Chiefs have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare for their crucial Betway Premiership clash against Sekhukhune United in Polokwane on Saturday (3pm). We had to bring it home. Today, we celebrated with the Chairman, Dr. Motaung. Our Senior and Reserve Teams handed him medals and the trophies. Dedicated to you Dr. Motaung, and to our very special army of supporters, the millions of Amakhosi Faithful, who love and serve this… — Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) May 14, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Chiefs will visit Sekhukhune in their penultimate league fixture, needing all three points to keep their Top 8 hopes alive. Amakhosi currently sit ninth on the table with 30 points, level with eighth-placed Chippa United, who have played one game more. 'We know the importance of Saturday's game. We have put the celebrations aside. We are reshuffling our focus to the league,' Dove told the club's media team. 'We have been preparing well, and the mood has been right. The energy has been positive. Hopefully, we can go into this game with a clear idea of what needs to be done. 'The coaches have been doing their best to keep the gents in check during our training sessions and making sure that we have all the tools for Saturday.' Chiefs must secure a Top 8 finish, not only to qualify for next season's MTN8 and redeem last season's shortcomings, but potentially to safeguard coach Nasreddine Nabi's job. Despite winning the Nedbank Cup, reports suggest Nabi may be released at the end of the season due to inconsistency in league performance. 'It has been a bit of a difficult season, so that's our main goal now — to make sure we finish in the Top 8,' Dove added. 'We are working hard to make sure we achieve that. It won't be easy, as there are no easy games, but we are ready to fight for it.' Sekhukhune will be formidable opponents, as they also desperately need points to secure third place and qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup. Babina Noko currently occupy the spot, one point ahead of Stellenbosch, who host SuperSport United at Danie Craven Stadium in a simultaneous kick-off. We're buzzing with pride! A huge congrats to the Betway Premiership Coach for April - our very own Eric Tinkler. Let's continue to rally behind our mentor and his charges. 🦔🦔🦔#Adibahlabe #BetwayPremierLeague — Sekhukhune United F.C. (@SekhukhuneFc) May 14, 2025 Sekhukhune have been in impressive form under coach Eric Tinkler, who has rejuvenated the side since taking over. Tinkler and striker Keletso Makgalwa were recognised in the DStv Premiership monthly awards for April, winning Coach and Player of the Month respectively. Chiefs' attacker Makabi Lilepo won the Goal of the Month award. 'There are no easy games in this league. We know the threat they can pose, but the most important thing is to focus on ourselves and fix any wrongs,' said Dove on facing Sekhukhune. 'We have to make sure that we are ready on Saturday to go toe-to-toe with Sekhukhune. We need the points, and I am 100% sure the gents understand what's at stake.'
