Kaizer Chiefs Forward Flavio Silva: ‘I May Not Be Messi or Ronaldo, but Provide Me with Opportunities and I’ll Deliver Goals’

Silva netted his eighth goal of the season across all competitions during the 2-0 victory against TS Galaxy on Sunday. He is eager to hit the ten-goal mark when his side faces Magesi FC on Wednesday, as they look to secure their fifth consecutive win.

“I’m thrilled and even more pleased with these four straight victories. It’s beneficial for the team and everyone associated with the club,” Silva remarked. “I have no complaints. This is the kind of atmosphere I thrive in. Ever since I was a child, I’ve wished to play for a club like this, one that carries significant pressure.”

“For me, playing for a club of this stature is a dream. It’s a challenging pressure and a considerable responsibility, but it’s the kind I thrive on.”

He added that he doesn’t take fan criticism personally, recognising it’s a part of the game and understands that his performance will be evaluated by his goal tally.

“As long as the criticism isn’t personal, I take it in my stride. It suggests there’s room for improvement in my performance. When I play well, I know the fans will show their appreciation and respect. So, for me, it’s part and parcel of being in this game.”

Silva acknowledges his style as a specific type of striker who excels around the penalty area, emphasising that with the right service, he can deliver goals.

“It’s always about the team. I constantly remind my teammates that while I can score, I’m not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. I’m not going to dribble past three or four defenders to score myself.

“I make my runs, and they need to find me. I have faith in them, so it’s about collective effort.”

“Of course, I won’t settle until the final whistle. If I can hit 20 goals, why not aim for 22? There are no limits.”

As the Chiefs vie for third place this season and a spot in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup, Silva believes there’s room for improvement.

“Personally, I can’t say I’m entirely satisfied. While it’s a better situation than last season when the club was struggling, we have a lot to achieve,” he stated. “Given the stature of this club, our baseline expectation should be to compete with the top teams. We’re not quite there yet, but we’re getting closer. It’s a process.”

The Chiefs secured a 2-0 victory against Magesi last month, but Silva insists that Wednesday’s match will present a fresh challenge.

“We have good memories from that match, but it’s behind us. We’re aiming for another three points as we have significant ambitions,” he said.

“We respect Magesi and cannot afford to underestimate them, especially as they will be targeting survival in the PSL for next season. However, we have our goals too, including qualifying for CAF and finishing in the top three.”