Official: African nation calls up ex-Downs star after 4-yr absence

A controversial former Mamelodi Sundowns star has now been called up by his African national team after four years in the cold. 

Toni Silva, a player who is infamous for a scathing letter from him aimed at Pitso Mosimane a few years ago, has been named in the Guinea-Bissau squad for the first time since November 2019. 

Read: Top African stars who are out of contract in June

The former Liverpool star now plies his trade in Kuwait for Kazma SC, having joined the club in August 2023 on a free transfer.

With his country set to take on Ethiopia and Egypt in next month's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, he is a notable inclusion in the side that is currently ranked 116th in the world, according to FIFA.

A post shared by Federação de futebol da Guiné-Bissau (@djurtos_ffgb.gw)

To South African audiences, Silva is arguably best remembered for his tirade of insults aimed at his former boss at Sundowns, Mosimane.

The Liverpool academy star lasted only one season at Chloorkop, playing a grand total of just 11 games in the 2018/19 campaign before parting ways with the club.

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After his departure, Mosimane was asked about Silva's short-lived stint at the club, and the South African tactician stated that it was the centre-forward who wanted out. 

According to News24, Mosimane told reporters at the time: "Toni Silva did not work out. He did not want to stay. Every time he wanted to go. There's Themba Zwane, who has never played for Chelsea and Liverpool, and he gives you more. There's [Gaston] Sirino, there's [Lebohang] Maboe."

This infuriated Silva, who then released a long scathing letter to the media, lambasting Mosimane and accusing