Johnson has his job cut out for him at Chiefs

Cavin Johnson, who has stepped in as Kaizer Chiefs interim head coach, will play his first two home games this week at FNB Stadium, in what could not be more contrasting scenarios.

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On Wednesday, Chiefs take on Cape Town Spurs in a DStv Premiership game that will be played behind closed doors, after Chiefs were again found guilty last week of spectator misbehaviour.

Chiefs fans pelted missiles at a now-sacked Molefi Ntseki for the fourth time this season, after Amakhosi were knocked out of the Carling Black Label Knockout by AmaZulu. Amakhosí’s punishment, aside from a monetary fine, is that they will face Spurs in relative silence, with no supporters allowed to attend the match.

On Saturday, the fans will return to pack out FNB Stadium, as Chiefs take on Orlando Pirates in the first top flight Soweto derby of the season, pretty much the one game in local football that all-but guarantees a capacity crowd.

Chiefs will have to be careful to stay focused against Spurs, as derby week comes with plenty of distractions, Soweto’s giants often slipping up in a midweek fixture that comes ahead of such a high-profile game.

Spurs are also coming off the back of a first Premiership win of the season, following eight straight losses, after they beat Pirates 2-1 in Cape Town last week.

Johnson was initially brought in as the Head of Youth Development at the start of September. And he is determined to guide the team back to the core values that define the club.

Johnson brings a wealth of experience to Chiefs

In essence, Johnson is aware of the challenges ahead but is working diligently to maintain a sense of focus and purpose among the players, all while steering the team in a positive direction.

“I come with my little bit of coaching knowledge that I have and mix that with the Kaizer Chiefs cloth,” said Johnson to the club’s website recently. 

“What is the cloth of Kaizer Chiefs, what has made Kaizer Chiefs tick for so many years? Forget about non trophies, trophies, that’s out of the window. 

“I’m talking about the fabric of Kaizer Chiefs… The players seem to understand what the fabric of Kaizer Chiefs is. 

“That’s just coming from my perspective,” said the former Al-Ahly assistant coach. 

Johnson happy with reception at Chiefs

Johnson is aware of the challenges ahead but is working diligently to maintain a sense of focus and purpose among the players, all while steering the team in a positive direction.

“I come with my little bit of coaching knowledge that I have and mix that with the Kaizer Chiefs cloth,” Johnson told the club’s website recently.

“What is the cloth of Kaizer Chiefs, what has made Kaizer Chiefs tick for so many years? Forget about non trophies, trophies, that’s out of the window.

“I’m talking about the fabric of Kaizer Chiefs… The players seem to understand what the fabric of Kaizer Chiefs is.

“That’s just coming from my perspective,” added the former Al-Ahly assistant coach, who has also been head coach in the South African top flight at Platinum Stars, SuperSport United, AmaZulu and Black Leopards.

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Chiefs’ game against Spurs will be played behind closed doors with the side having been hit with a stadium ban following their supporters’ misdemeanours recently.