The inside story on Chiefs’ interim coach
On currently working in Europe and how that came about
It’s great to have contact with the South African media again. So, in 2017, I was contacted by the Football Federation of Kosovo Technical Director to come assist them as a consultant. It was particularly to help for their U21 national team and to assist their Super League managers with some coach education. The country had just been readmitted into European competitions by FIFA and UEFA and they needed assistance with a number of areas. I’m blessed enough to have skills and expertise across various aspects of the Beautiful Game, hence I was roped in as a consultant.
On then moving abroad on a full-time basis
Whilst I was the head coach of Black Leopards, I was approached by a club in Kosovo to come work in their Super League. I had developed a good reputation in the country as I had helped them achieve some strong international results against big countries like Germany and Norway. I felt it was a good opportunity for me as a coach to develop myself and to see another side of football. It was an opportunity to improve. That, in turn, gave me the opportunity to work on a full-time basis with the Kosovo national U21 team, the “A” national team and the Women’s “A” national team too.
On how football in that part of the world compares to the level in South Africa
There are quite a few differences that are evident. The Balkan area of Europe, where I was, is probably closer to African football in how they approach and how they see the game than the rest of Europe. In Africa, we definitely have a lot more skilful and creative players in individual actions and techniques with the ball. From a base technique point of view, the standard in terms of passing, weight of pass, the first touch and also finishing technique is a lot higher in Europe compared to what we’re used to in Africa. They hold themselves to a high standard in that regard, but they lack the creativity and ball manipulation of South Africans.
On the tactics
I think in terms of tactics as a coach, there is a lot less room for error as far as tactical preparation for your team goes. When a coach or player makes mistakes in Europe, you get punished because of the technical execution of the players. Europeans place a lot of value in improving themselves physically and technically. They are very serious about their jobs. In the off-season, they take care of themselves and will hire individual coaches. Overall, they are very dedicated to training and do it non-stop. The players in Europe are also very demanding of the coaches and one has to be consistently doing unit and individual work to make the players better.
On what he made of Cavin Johnson’s move to Al Ahly, having been assistant to him at Platinum Stars, AmaZulu FC and Black Leopards
Yes, I’ve worked with Cavin for most of my career. I’ve always enjoyed working with Cav at those clubs mentioned, but also at SuperSport United. I was really happy to see him get the opportunity to go work with coach Pitso Mosimane at Al Ahly. I’m not sure if everyone knows, but coach Cavin is a very learned football coach. He has a lot of experience from the Brazilian side of football education, but he also spent a lot of time with Dutch coaches and learning in the Netherlands. He is very attuned to modern football trends. So, the move to Al Ahly allowed him to show what he could do on a global stage in the CAF Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup. He’s a coach that deserved that opportunity and who belongs at that level, and he played a meaningful role in the Red Devils’ success.
On his reaction to the big move to work at Kaizer Chiefs development
For me, it was a no-brainer for Chiefs, and for him. Honestly, he
probably isn’t appreciated as much as he should be in terms of South African football development. He has helped produce some of the best players the country has had. Not just Steven Pienaar, but many others, including Kobamelo Kodisang. Coach Cav was the one who gave the latter his opportunity at age 15 for Platinum Stars and you can see how well he is doing in Portugal now. For him to be able to share his knowledge on how to help produce players for European level is invaluable. It’s really smart of a huge club like Kaizer Chiefs, who have had good youth products, to appoint Cavin to help get players both into the first team and into pastures new like overseas leagues.
On whether we can expect to see a target man or number 10 most weeks, and whether he likes natural wingers
One of Cavin’s great strengths is to be able to adapt to the squad that he has and the players at his disposal. He has adapted from target men like Henrico Botes and Eleazar Rodgers at Platinum Stars to more complete strikers like the late Bongi Ntuli or Bradley Grobler at SuperSport United. Many times we found ourselves in situations where we didn’t have much say over recruitment. He always adapted the style of play to bring out the qualities of the players. He enjoys wingers and he likes attacking, creative exciting players. I’ve seen him use out-and-out wingers and also someone like Kodisang, who is more of an inside forward or creative playmaker, but who has been used on the flank. I’ve even seen him have success with two strikers. He can adapt to the club, the situation and the players available.
On Johnson’s style of play
He wants players to express themselves and to use their own intuition to read situations and make decisions on the pitch. Creativity and attractive football is his desire.
Well, we’ve seen in his career that Cavin Johnson has never been shy to put in a youngster who he believes can do well. He also has the knack of being able to get the best out of older players as well. You think about a Botes or a Rodgers or if you go back to Platinum Stars and see how well Benson Mhlongo was playing at an advanced age, he was a player who people had written off!
On how he does it
Cavin’s key skill is being able to reach players. His ability to get the best out of players, whether young or old, inexperienced or veterans. Players feel his trust and know they have his confidence to express themselves on the pitch. He gives the squad space and room to make decisions, whether as a head coach, a coach or as a manager. He usually gets the mesh of youth and experience right in his teams – thinking about Platinum Stars where we had Vuyo Mere, Solomon Mathe and Benson Mhlongo, but then you had kids like Gift Links, Sipho Senne and Kodisang.
On the fact Johnson would have brought him on board at
Amakhosi The most important thing is that Cavin and I are good friends, family friends and we will be friends forever, regardless of where football takes us. We are always in contact and working with Cavin was amongst the most enjoyable times in my life. I don’t regret leaving South Africa to pursue my development as a coach. I’ve worked with some of the top players in Europe like Amir Rrahmani, who won the Italian Serie A with Napoli. I’ve coached against top players in Kosovo and against English Premier League players, against England’s U21 team. I would never have had those opportunities in South Africa.
On what sort of players the coach likes, whether he tends to use youth or prefers experienced players
On whether he would have been open to joining Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs is obviously a huge football club that’s known globally. If something ever came up, it would be something to consider, of course. The draw of working again with Cavin Johnson is a strong one. Anyone who has ever worked with him has wanted to work with him again. He just brings a great environment that is a pleasure to be a part of, for both his staff and his players. I have to see what happens. I’m currently in China with my family, working on a few development projects here. I don’t regret leaving or seeking out new activities. I’m somebody who likes to live for the moment and not dwell on what could have been. I’m very grateful for the times I’ve worked with Cavin and Chiefs are a lucky club to have him. Who knows what the future holds? But I’m sure I will work with coach Cavin again at some point. I wish him all the luck at Amakhosi and given some time, I’m sure he will bring back the pride and glory to Chiefs on a local and a global stage.
IS KEY SKILL “CAVIN’S TO REACH BEING ABLE TO ABILITY HIS PLAYERS. OF BEST OUT GET THE YOUNG WHETHER PLAYERS, INEXPERIENCED OR OLD, VETERANS.” OR