International defender concedes 'failing' Kaizer Chiefs, but…

Kaizer Chiefs defied the odds to finish third on the Premier Soccer League table last season, for the first time in six years.

It wasn’t a smooth ride for the Soweto giants, who had to do with co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze. The duo took over from Nasreddine Nabi. The Tunisian had lasted one full season before parting ways with the club under unclear circumstances.

Nasreddine Nabi, Kaizer Motaung Jr, Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze at Kaizer Chiefs. Photo – Kaizer Chiefs

However, he had helped the Soweto giants end their decade-long trophy drought by winning the Nedbank Cup in the 2024/25 campaign. Versatile defender Edmilson Dove was among the key players who played a key role in helping the Glamour Boys win.

The defender was among the players who were let go at the beginning of the 2025/25 campaign, and a year later, he has shed light on what has been happening at the team, before hoping they can achieve even greater heights under newly appointed coach Fernando Da Cruz this season.

We failed Kaizer Chiefs – Dove

Edmilson Dove and Deon Hotto Kaizer CHiefs vs Orlando Pirates — Image – Pirates

“I always said, but not on record, when I was there, I always felt that for a team of Chiefs’ calibre, that’s a team that fights for titles. I also once said this in one of the interviews when we couldn’t qualify for the top eight that we failed the club,” Dove told FARPost.

“Last season, things got a bit better. I know how hard the gents work at training because I have been in that environment. I know that at some point, it frustrates them. But if we are talking about Chiefs as a club, I think Chiefs is a club that always goes into competitions to win. I hope they can build on what they did in the last stretch of last season.

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo of Kaizer Chiefs in action against Sekhukhune United. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

“It was pleasing to see the gents coming through because I know how hard they work for them to go into games. Sometimes they walk out frustrated because you couldn’t get the result. So, I think they did well in the last stretch of the season.

“Hopefully, they can build on that with the same mindset that they always go into seasons with to win trophies. I hope in the coming season they can lift silverware because the club deserves,” the Mozambique international concluded.