Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has reacted to Amakhosi’s appointment of Cavin Johnson as interim coach, saying they should make him the head coach but also bring in the likes of Sudesh Singh, Dan Malesela and Farouk Khan to set up proper structures for the future.
Chiefs announced that Johnson, who only started his role as Head of Academy last month, has been appointed as interim coach following the departure of Molefi Ntseki.
Khanye has been an outspoken critic of Chiefs’ recent coaching appointment, feeling that the likes of Stuart Baxter, Arthur Zwane and Molefi Ntseki were not the right names for the club, but he insisted that Johnson has what it takes to lead the club back to past glory, if he’s made permanent head coach and given the right support structures.
“Wonderful, I’m very excited,” Khanye told this publication when asked about Johnson’s appointment and which other coaches Amakhosi should look at.
“[But] why are they making him interim? They’re supposed to make him head coach permanently, give him a three-year contract.
“First season they were supposed to be patient… I love him and I’m very excited for him to be there. I was long ago, wanting him to be there. One of the best around the country, he is underrated.
“The thing is, Cavin Johnson understands South African football. Number one, he understands SA’s players more than anyone. He understands the culture of the country. He understands South African players, how they play. He knows how to take out the best out of these kids.
“Cavin Johnson was in the setup of School of Excellence with Ted Dumitru, the ones who set up all the direction of the academies. He coached a lot of top class players, he was there with Farouk Khan, Ted Dumitru, the Master Ted.
“What is said, in South Africa he is unfortunate to coach other teams, such as Platinum Stars. I believe he was supposed to be in big teams. But because of a lot of directors, club owners, they go in football with the wrong reasons, that’s why.
“At Platinum Stars he won one trophy and he took out the best of players such as Masibusane Zongo, Mahlatse Makudubela. He didn’t have high profile players. But those players and the team was very skilful, fluid as well. It was enjoyable to watch Platinum Stars back then.
“So Cavin, the unfortunate situation for him is to go to Kaizer Chiefs, there’s a lot of mess and the mess started long ago, but they must be patient with Cavin, please. I believe in him. I’m happy to for him to be here.”
Khanye added that the club should consider bringing more like-minded people in to support Johnson, naming Dan Malesela as assistant coach, Sudesh Singh as Technical Director and Farouk Khan as Head of Development to set the club up for the future.
“Cavin need to tell Bra K [Kaizer Motaung] that he wants to bring other coaches similar like him,” he explained.
“One he needs to tell him to employ Sudesh Singh as a Technical Director. Secondly, you need to bring Dan Malesela as his assistant coach. Yes, Dillon can be there but with Malesela they can be assistant or co-coaches in the team. And also appoint Farouk Khan as the Head of Development.
“It’s unfortunate that Cavin didn’t have a pre-season at Chiefs and he finds players there that were signed by those coaches. So Cavin, he likes a skilful team, he believes in ball-players. But the players at Kaizer Chiefs [right now], they are a lot of ordinary players, I need to be honest. A lot of players who don’t have confidence, don’t deserve to be there. It’s an unfortunate situation for him but I know there will be lot of improvement from the team.
“And they must be patient for him this season. Next season, early they must bring in those people that I was talking about and also allow him to sign his own players. Also allow him to bring Farouk to restructure the development a little bit.
“I can tell you in the next coming two, three years, Kaizer Chiefs will be competing.
“Remember it’s about creating the right structure that will continue for a long time. You need to be patient and allow this person to be in charge. Let us not take short cuts and put in proper structures. The time of shortcuts is over.”
