Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson provided a glimpse into the team’s preparations ahead of the highly anticipated DStv Premiership clash with Sekhukhune United on Saturday.
In an exclusive interview with the club’s website, the coach shed light on various aspects of the squad, offering insights into their festive season schedule, mid-season assessment, goal-scoring strategies, and the status of key players.
“After beating Richards Bay in our last game (on 23 December), we were fortunate enough to have Christmas off and give the players an opportunity to spend it with their families,” Johnson revealed. “We returned to training the following day to prepare for Sekhukhune, and I must give credit to the players; they came in and worked very hard to be in top condition and focused, ready for the game.”
Reflecting on the unique experience of playing during the festive season, Johnson expressed his enthusiasm for entertaining the fans during this holiday period. “In the past, we never used to play at this time of year, but that is changing, and I like it because it is the festive season, and many people are on holiday. We are entertainers who would like to give enjoyment to the fans,” he said. “Inasmuch as we want to entertain, we do not lose sight of our most important objective, which is to win. Our fans will only be happy if we get the three points.”
Approaching the halfway point in the season, Johnson emphasized the team’s focus on taking one game at a time, building steadily, and gaining confidence within the player roster. “Most importantly, we are gaining confidence within the crop of players we have. So, tomorrow we will go out looking to put in a good performance for our loyal fans here in Polokwane and get the three points.”
When addressing the team’s goal-scoring dynamics, Johnson highlighted the collective effort of the squad. “At the moment, our goals have been coming from all areas, which is good for the team. Having said that, we are continually working hard in training to improve the conversion rate of the many chances we create.”
Providing an update on the squad’s status ahead of the match, Johnson mentioned the unavailability of key players like TT Ditlhokwe and George Matlou. However, he expressed satisfaction with the travelling squad and their readiness for the game.
Lastly, Johnson shared insights on their opponents, Sekhukhune United, acknowledging the presence of former Kaizer Chiefs players like Daniel Cardoso and Kamohelo Mokotjo. “We have watched them many times, and they have some ex-Kaizer Chiefs players, but we have to make sure we plug every hole and implement our own attacking strategy to try and win.”
As the Soweto Giants gear up for a thrilling DStv Premiership encounter, the anticipation among fans is palpable, with the team hopefully poised to kick off the new year with a victory.
