When you speak of great South African footballers and omit the name of Doctor Khumalo, you would run the risk of being charged for something worse than treason, as the former Kaizer Chiefs star still remains the benchmark, insists Cavin Johnson.
Amakhosi former interim head coach, Johnson, spent half a year at the helm of Chiefs and in as much as he says the club has “good” players, the Glamour Boys’ performance on the pitch contrasts his claim.
Johnson reckons that if the current crop of players at Naturena are afforded some time to blend well with each other – they might stand a chance to join the likes of Khumalo in the conversation of greatest footballers of all time.
"Who has emulated Doctor Khumalo? He left Kaizer Chiefs 20 years ago."
“Who has emulated Donald ‘Ace’ Khuse. There is no one who has come close to Jabu Mahlangu in many years, not just in Cavin Johnson’s few months,” Johnson told Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador Robert Mawara on 947.
“In the last five or six years, no one has emulated those types of players. Why has Chiefs not had those players coming through or paying a lot of money for those players? I don’t know.
“There are quite a few good players at Chiefs. There is a mentality thing and I hope the young ones are given an opportunity to come out and shine, like your Mfundo Vilakazi and Jansen Donnay, I hope they will have an opportunity to play next season,” Johnson added.
Not only should patience be practiced with the players, but the coaching team as well, Johnson suggests. Chiefs have employed nine coaches in the last decade, with Stuart Baxter taking charge in two stints.
Tunisian-born Nasreddine Nabi is now calling the shots at Naturena, and Johnson advises his former employers to follow Stellenbosch’s lead on how the club gave head coach Steve Barker time to work his magic.
Stellies have been on an upward trajectory in Mzansi football, having finished third in last season’s DStv Premiership campaign and also won the Carling Knockout.
“There’s always good players at Chiefs. But what time do you have to put them together? When you think of my time at Chiefs, it was six months and it took Sir Alex Ferguson five years before he got it right at Manchester United,” said Johnson.
“It has taken Steve Barker a good few years to get it right and he’s got it right now, you have to give him credit. He is competing with the rest. It has taken Mamelodi Sundowns a good few years to dominate like they have been dominating now.
“They are playing a good brand of football and they are winning. I think it is about the time given to the players and the rollout of who stays and who goes in the next few years. The past of Chiefs is so important,” Johnson concluded.
