Platinum ring the changes

PLATINUM STARS confirmed yesterday that they will not be renewing Cavin Johnson’s contract, which expires by the end of this month, leading up to the new season.

The news came after Dikwena suffered their second defeat of their Caf Confederation Cup group fixtures to CS Sfaxien (3-0) in Tunisia on Sunday.

Johnson reunited with Dikwena in 2015, and led them to a top three finish in the 2015/16 season to secure them a place in this year’s Caf Confederation Cup campaign.

But Johnson wasn’t as successful this past season, where his side finished out of the top eight bracket, a point behind Lamontville Golden Arrows who finished 8th in the league standings on 38 points.

The club’s chairman, Cliff Ramoroa, said the change of coaching personnel in his team this early would give them enough time to bring in the right people who would help them to try and challenge for honors by next season.

Dikwena didn’t do that in the previous campaign under Johnson.

“We can confirm that the club is not going to renew the contract of Cavin Johnson for the 2017/18 season,” Ramoroa said.

“We would like to express sincere gratitude for all the hard work and efforts put in by Johnson and the technical team. Johnson did his best in terms of ensuring that the club reaches the levels that it is in.

“We would like to move to another level.

“We believe that a change of this nature would really bring someone who will take the club to another level. This is a contract not being renewed. It’s not a firing or anything.”

Ramoroa added that the club is also planning to bring in new players to the team to help them hit the ground running when the new Absa Premiership campaign kicks offs in a few months time.

“We will make announcements on further changes in both the technical team and playing personnel,” Ramoroa said.

“We will be able to make an announcement concerning the new coach before the beginning of next season.”

Johnson is expected to be on the sidelines when his soon to be former side takes on CS Sfaxien in the return leg at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in two weeks time.

“According to the contract,” Ramoroa explained, “(Johnson) will be allowed to leave by the end of this month.

“He’s still contracted to us until the end of this month.

“You can expect him on the bench (when we take on CS Sfaxien on June 21).”