Mozambican international left-back Edmilson Dove has been confirmed as a last-minute absence for the COSAFA Cup, which begins today and continues until July 7 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Dove, who currently plays for Kaizer Chiefs, was scheduled to face South Africa tonight. However, the South African club did not authorize his participation in the tournament. The Mozambican Football Federation (FMF) had sent a request to Kaizer Chiefs on June 19th, requesting the player's release. The club's response, however, only arrived yesterday, June 25th, at 3:50 PM, leaving the national team with little time to react to his absence.
Kaizer Chiefs' decision not to release Edmilson Dove represents an additional challenge for the Mozambican national team, which was already facing demanding competition. Dove's presence would have been a significant boost to the team's defense, given his experience and skill.
The COSAFA Cup is an important opportunity for teams from the region to showcase their talent and develop their players. The absence of a key player like Edmilson Dove will certainly be felt, but the Mozambican team remains determined to compete and seek good results in the tournament.
The Mozambican public and fans will be closely following the team's performance, hoping that the remaining players can fill the gap left by Dove and bring pride to the country.
