Kaizer Chiefs striker gets first international call-up

New Kaizer Chiefs signing Flavio Silva, who has yet to play a match for the club, has been named in Guinea Bissau’s squad to take on Sierra Leone and Djibouti in World Cup qualifiers this month.

Flavio Silva is a former Portugal under-16 and under-19 international but has since switched his international allegiance to Guinea Bissau, where he was born.

This is his first call-up by Guinea Bissau, whose new coach Emiliano Te named a 40-man preliminary squad for the two Group A qualifiers, to be both played at home.

They take on Sierra Leone in Bissau on Thursday, 4 September and then Djibouti on Monday, 8 September.

Guinea Bissau have little chance of qualifying for the World Cup as they sit 10 points behind leaders Egypt with only four games left.

But they could force second place in the group if other results go their way and put themselves in contention for November’s playoffs.

Flavio Silva was signed by Chiefs from Persebaya Surabaya in Indonesia during the off-season and went with the club on their pre-season tour to the Netherlands.

But he has not played in any of the club’s opening three matches of the new Betway Premiership campaign because he has been awaiting his work permit, which Chiefs said had now arrived, making him available to debut when they host Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday at Soccer City (live on SuperSport, kick-off 7:30pm).

GUINEA BISSAU SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Manuel Balde (Penafiel, Portugal), Celton Biai (Dordrecht, Netherlands), Fernando Embadje (Lugo, Spain)

Defenders: Gilberto Batista (Moreirense, Portugal), Aramane Cassama (AC Oulu, Finlândia), Fali Cande (Sassuolo, Italy), Jeferson Encada (Estrela Amadora, Portugal), Iano Imbeni (Penafiel, Portugal), Mario Junior (Oliveirense, Portugal), Manconi Mane (Torpedo Kutaisi, Georgia), Sori Mane (Braga, Portugal), Nanu (Samsunspor, Turkey), Victor Rofino (União Leiria, Portugal), Sambinha (Ironi Tiberias, Israel), Opa Sangate (Dunkerque, France)

Midfielders: Zidane Banjaqui (Panserraikos, Greece), Bura (Costa do Sol, Mozambique), Mamadi Camara (Reading, England), Panutche Camara (Dundee United, Scotland), Fernando de Lacerda (Pacos Ferreira, Portugal), Eucídioalcio Gomes (Apoel Nicosia, Cyprus), Carlos Mane (Kayserispor, Turkey), Tomas Mendes (Alverca, Portugal), Renato Nhaga (Casa Pia, Portugal), Famana Quizera (Academico Viseu, Portugal), Edson Silva (Enosis Neon Paralimni, Cyprus), Ronaldo Vieria (Sampdoria, Italy)

Forwards: Elvis Balde (KS Radomiak Radom, Poland), Mama Balde (Stade Brest, France), Beto (Everton, England), Midana Cassama (Dibba FC, United Arab Emirates), Franculino (FC Midtjylland, Denmark), Tamble Folgado (Portimonense, Portugal), Coba da Costa Gomes (Getafe, Spain), Jardel (Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona, Israel), Jorginho (Omonia FC Aradippou, Cyprus), Marculino Ninte (Mafra, Portugal), Flavio Silva (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Mauro Teixeira (Yverdon, Switzerland), Marciano Tchami (Almería, Spain), Ze Turbo (FK Nizhny Novgorod, Russia).