KAIZER CHIEFS: ‘Players go through ups and downs’ – Cavin Johnson explains Edmilson Castillo’s reduced role at Soweto giants

Castillo, 29, joined Amakhosi at the start of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership campaign under then-head coach Molefi Ntseki and made an immediate impact.

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Castillo scored five goals in his first 16 appearances, including key goals in the MTN8 quarter-finals and semi-finals. The Venezuelan also featured in nine out of the first 10 matches of the season.

However, since the beginning of 2024, Castillo’s form has declined. The 30-year-old has neither scored nor assisted this year and has completed an entire match on just four occasions, including a 120-minute effort against Milford FC in the Nedbank Cup.

“Players go through ups and downs, and Castillo is no exception,” Johnson said.

“The only issue is that he went away with the Venezuelan national team, and upon his return, the players occupying his position have been performing well. You don’t just change a winning team.

“That’s what has held him back. The players in his position are playing well, and he has to understand that.”

Castillo signed a two-year contract with the Chiefs and will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any other club in January 2025.

Chiefs next host Polokwane City in a DStv Premiership clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 15:00.