Kaizer Chiefs striker Flavio Silva withdrawn from Guinea-Bissau squad

Kaizer Chiefs striker Flavio Silva has withdrawn from the Guinea-Bissau squad because of injury and will miss their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania and Nigeria.

Silva was included in coach Emiliano Te’s provisional squad two weeks ago, but injury-prevention measures mean he will remain with Kaizer Chiefs at Naturena rather than travelling for the Group L fixtures.

His absence is another setback for Kaizer Chiefs during the current FIFA international window, following confirmation that Lebohang Maboe had also withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana squad.

The 30-year-old has made only one appearance for Amakhosi this season. He played 45 minutes against Kruger United on 1 August, scoring before being substituted at half-time because of an injury.

Kaizer Chiefs have played seven further matches since then without Silva, who wears number 77, featuring in any of them.

Despite those fitness concerns, Te selected the forward again after his first international appearance earlier this year. Silva made his Guinea-Bissau debut in a friendly against Burkina Faso, although the match ended in a 5-0 defeat.

The appearance carried particular significance for Silva, who was born in Guinea-Bissau but left the country for Portugal as a child. His original call-up came after he scored goals for Kaizer Chiefs last season.

The Federacao de Futebol da Guine-Bissau has included Silva in the final squad while applying the precautionary measures related to his injury. He will nevertheless stay in Johannesburg, with the aim of regaining fitness in time for Kaizer Chiefs’ next match against Stellenbosch on 17 October.

Guinea-Bissau are pursuing qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations after missing the most recent tournament in Morocco. Before that absence, they had qualified for four successive editions of the competition.

Te must now prepare for the Group L qualifiers without one of his attacking options as Guinea-Bissau face Tanzania and Nigeria.