Usuthu steer clear of market

Johnson prepares for ‘revived’ Chiefs

AmaZulu coach Cavin Johnson has confirmed Usuthu won’t make any signings in the current transfer window. “Unless I have four players who break their legs, then it’s a call for that [bolstering the squad]. But I don’t like to use this period to bring in players. I think our team is building, we are getting there slowly,” said Johnson.

He said his striking department was not depleted by the retirement of striker Mabhuti Khenyeza, who’s now assisting Muhsin Ertugral at Maritzburg United.

“I don’t think I’ve lost a striker [in Khenyeza]. I have lost an assistant coach. There will be no replacements. If I can’t afford Lionel Messi [Barcelona superstar], I cannot afford anybody else,” said Johnson. Meanwhile, AmaZulu seem to be hesitant to release their wonderkid Sibusiso Mabiliso, 19, to the under-20 national team. The young left-back has been included in Amajita’s provisional squad, gearing up for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Niger next month.

“It’s our decision to either release him or keep him. We have not made our decision if he goes or not. I know they [Amajita] go on a camp for a few days to set the team. He would be away for a month and as you can see Mabiliso is very important to AmaZulu,” said Johnson.

Usuthu host a rejuvenated Kaizer Chiefs at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday (7.30pm). Johnson feels Amakhosi have improved under new coach Ernst Middendorp.

“They’re different ... he does a lot of transformations. We will see how we get past that.”

‘‘ If I can’t afford Lionel Messi, I cannot afford anybody else