JOHNSON BRINGS THE SHINE BACK TO STARS
Coach on course to play for African clubs tourneys
PLATINUM Stars’ victory over Ajax Cape Town on Sunday has catapulted the club into third place in the Absa Premiership and shone the spotlight back on their coach Cavin Johnson.
Johnson took the club to second in the PSL in the 2012-13 season, missing out on top-spot by just a single point.
Now back at the helm for almost exactly a year after a stint at SuperSport United, Johnson is working his magic again. And although the league title looks a long shot given the form of runaway leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, a return to African club competition next year is a distinct possibility.
“I was part of the club when we last played in African club competition [in 2008] when we became the first South African side to beat Al Ahly … and we did it when they were in their prime,” Johnson said.
“We ended up losing the tie 3-2 on aggregate, but it gave us a real hunger to play on the African stage and that has to be our target for the rest of this season – to get into one of the CAF competitions.
“We have the Nedbank Cup as well which is a qualifier for the Confederation Cup. We have always been keen from the beginning to build this brand in Africa, and playing in those competitions is how we do it.”
Johnson shies away from taking credit for his team’s fine form – in both spells at the club – instead insisting it is the hard work of the players, the rest of his technical team and the club management.
But he has lost just 21 of his 80 games in all competitions while in charge of the side since he was first appointed in March 2012, a ratio comparable with the likes of three-time league winner Gavin Hunt.
“I have my philosophy on coaching and that is to be attacking, try and play good football and entertain our supporters. If you are positive like that and everybody buys into what you are trying to do, then you will get results.
“The groups of players I have had in my two spells at the club have been very different, so there have had to be tweaks here and there, but largely I stick to my principles.”
Next up for Platinum Stars is a home game against Mpumalanga Black Aces on Sunday.