Kaizer Chiefs striker Flavio Silva earns Guinea-Bissau call-up despite injury concerns

Kaizer Chiefs striker Flavio Silva has been selected by Guinea-Bissau for the start of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, despite having played only 45 minutes for his club this season.

The 30-year-old has been managing an injury problem at Naturena for the past month and has not featured in any of Kaizer Chiefs’ past four matches. His only appearance this term came on 1 August, when he scored against Kruger United.

Silva was also absent from full-contact training during Kaizer Chiefs’ media day on Wednesday. He was seen making his way to the gymnasium before the rest of the squad went to the field, and restricted his work to an indoor gym session.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz has indicated that the forward requires another week or two before he is ready to return to competitive action. That timeline could rule Silva out of some or all of the club’s next three fixtures.

Amakhosi are due to face Siwelele FC on 6 September, Polokwane City on 12 September and Golden Arrows on 19 September, with the matches taking place before the next FIFA international window.

Despite Silva’s limited involvement at club level, Guinea-Bissau coach Emiliano Te has again included him in his plans. The forward made his international debut in March, just days before his 30th birthday, when Guinea-Bissau suffered a 5-0 defeat by Burkina Faso.

Guinea-Bissau will begin their Group L qualifying campaign away to Tanzania on 25 September. Four days later, they will host Nigeria as they attempt to secure a place at the 2027 AFCON finals.

The West African side missed the most recent tournament in Morocco after appearing at four successive editions of the competition. Their upcoming qualifying campaign therefore represents an opportunity to return to the continental stage.

Silva was born in Guinea-Bissau before moving to Portugal. However, he has remained on the radar of the Federacao de Futebol da Guine-Bissau for some time, including before his move to Kaizer Chiefs.

Te’s decision to retain the striker reflects the value placed on his international experience and ability, even though he has had little opportunity to demonstrate his fitness for Kaizer Chiefs this season.

The call-up will now leave Silva facing a race against time to recover fully before Guinea-Bissau’s two qualifiers. His immediate priority remains returning to club action, with Da Cruz’s assessment suggesting that he may not be available for Kaizer Chiefs until shortly before the international break.