Cavin Johnson in a huddle with Kaizer Chiefs players. Image: Kaizer Chiefs website

Kaizer Chiefs: Patience even running out from coach Cavin

Kaizer Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson has implied that even his patience is running out with some players and the team underperforming.

by Craig Lewis

03-04-2024 09:26

in Premier Soccer League

Cavin Johnson in a huddle with Kaizer Chiefs players. Image: Kaizer Chiefs website

On Tuesday, Kaizer Chiefs suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Stellenbosch FC in their DStv Premiership encounter at FNB Stadium, failing to find any real consistent rhythm to their play.

It was yet another lacklustre performance and forgettable result since the league resumed after the Afcon tournament concluded, and Amakhosi are now seventh on the table.

A top-four finish increasingly seems to be out of reach as Kaizer Chiefs’ league campaign draws towards a close, with the latest set of results almost certainly set to expedite the search for a permanent coach to take over from Cavin Johnson.

Kaizer Chiefs have endured another ‘trophyless’ season

Johnson has admitted some of his patience has now run out, and that changes will have to be made.

“We have to go back, try again, put different players on the pitch and let’s see what happens,” he told SuperSport TV after the match.

“We just didn’t get it right tonight, I’m not happy with the performance of a lot of the players but we have to fix them up, we have to try our best.”

Basic errors

A worrying factor was the fact that Chiefs not only lacked a spark, but how players seemed to be lacking some simple skills.

“The players need to play proper technical, they need to be better technically,” Johnson added. “In a lot of moments where we have to play, they have to pass the ball better. We’re not looking like we can pass the ball better.

“We go 1-0 down, we’ve got 45 minutes to come back – be the confidence you are, be the Kaizer Chiefs you are! Play proper ball, don’t just kick the ball and that for me is very disturbing from my players.”

There is no time for Chiefs to wallow in despair, though, as they next travel to East London to face Chippa United on Saturday, 6 April, kicking off at 3pm.