Johnson wants to be at the front of the race
PRETORIA: In what will be a make or break season for him, SuperSport United coach Cavin Johnson knows he can’t afford any slip-ups.
With his mandate already set – win or leave – the pressure levels on Johnson have escalated, and the former Platinum Stars coach is bracing himself for a torrid challenge.
“We always have our own personal pressures. If you can’t put pressure on yourself, it’s not worth it to coach in the PSL. My pressure is to win all the trophies,” said Johnson, who is in his second season with Matsatsantsa A Pitori.
Johnson is aware that ending the season without a trophy could spell disaster for him, as club boss Khulu Sibiya has given him an ultimatum to deliver or be sacked. The man who succeeded multiple title – winning coach Gavin Hunt is keen to compete for the silverware this season.
“I want to win as many games as I can. If the marathon is as open as it was at the beginning of last season, I want to make sure that we are part of the top four. If there are trophies, I want us to compete as much as we can and get into many finals.
“At this level of football, besides playing good football, you have got to win. You got to bring some trophies as well. SuperSport is at that level where they need to have a trophy again,” said Johnson.
SuperSport’s campaign for silverware begins with a tough task against Orlando Pirates, whom they meet in the quarterfinals of MTN8 at Orlando Stadium tomorrow. In Pirates, Johnson and his men face a side that has done exceptionally well when in knockout matches, having reached four cup finals last season.
Tomorrow’s battle is likely to be the most trying for Johnson and his charges. Last season, Pirates beat SuperSport twice in the semi-finals of the Telkom Knockout and the MTN8. And Johnson is hoping for changes this time around.
“We took six points off them and I don’t think it went down well with them. They knocked us out of the semi-finals twice and it didn’t go down well with us. Maybe we can change the roles, and they can give me one cup and I can give them three points. It would be fair play,” quipped Johnson.
On the pitch Johnson knows that Pirates, who bolstered their team with two exceptional midfielders in Issa Sarr and Thabo Qalinqe, will be tough customers. “Pirates have always had quality players. They always make sure they have a quality team. We know they are a running team. They attack all the time. They have one of the best midfielders in the country, which is Oupa Manyisa. He’s clever on the ball. Daine Klate is a good crosser. They have a good leader in Lucky Lekgwathi,” Johnson said.
You are always going to be against a Pirates of note. We have signed a few who are capable of doing well. We hope to put the best 11 in order to do justice to the game of football. We hope to win.” MTN 8 FIXTURES Today: Wits v Bloemfontein Celtic (Bidvest Stadium, 8pm). Tomorrow: Mamelodi Sundowns v Platinum Stars (Loftus Stadium, 3pm), Orlando Pirates v SuperSport United (Orlando Stadium, 8.15pm). Sunday: Kaizer Chiefs v Black Aces (FNB Stadium, 3pm).