I will play Khenyeza as centre back one day – Johnson

Johnson was speaking after Usuthu’s goalless draw against Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday night where he lost defender Phumlani Gumede to suspension.

Gumede was given his marching orders in the dying minutes of the Absa Premiership fixture played at King Zwelithini Stadium on a rainy evening.

“The rain didn’t help much. It was slippery and there were some bad tackles flying everywhere,” said the former Platinum Stars mentor.

“Unfortunately I lost my best defender and he has been doing very well over the past few weeks. He is not a dirty player. If he was a dirty player, I would not be this sorry for him. He has not had a yellow card but just gets a red card,” explained Johnson.

“We do have capable replacements. So it is not really a train smash. We have 35 players and in those I have Mabhuti Khenyeza whom I can use as a centre back because of his experience,” he added.

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Johnsons said he was proud of his players who made the esteemed Amakhosi chase shadows for most parts of the match.

“In the first half we were better than Chiefs. We scored a goal and it was disallowed. But as far as playing we did our homework and the boys carried the plan very well. We looked a lot better than Chiefs especially in the first 30 minutes.

“I told the players at half time that it was in their hands to lose it. We were a better team. We missed a penalty. But these things happen in football.”

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