Cavin Johnson criticises Kaizer Chiefs after another Top 8 miss

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson claims that the Soweto giants “should have done better” after missing out on a top-eight finish in the Betway Premiership for the second season in a row.

Amakhosi’s 2024/25 season ended in a disappointing manner as they played a goalless draw against Polokwane City FC at FNB Stadium this past Saturday, leaving them in ninth position on the league table.

Their dismal run saw them go nine games without a victory, with their last win dating back to early March against Magesi FC. Since then, Chiefs have suffered defeats to Richards Bay FC, Golden Arrows, Marumo Gallants, and Orlando Pirates, alongside draws against Cape Town City FC, TS Galaxy, Chippa United, Sekhukhune United, and Polokwane City in the league.

This comes despite high hopes for improvement from their 10th-place finish in the previous season when Johnson was at the helm. The Soweto giants appointed Nasreddine Nabi as head coach in July 2024, tasked with returning the club to its glory days.

While the Tunisian mentor ended the Chiefs’ trophy drought by winning the Nedbank Cup, the league performance was poor as they only managed to win 8 out of their 28 matches.

Johnson, who was in charge on an interim basis in the 2023/24 season when Chiefs finished in their worst-ever position in the league, firmly believes the current squad, with a new technical team, should have achieved more.

The former Al Ahly assistant coach was speaking on the sidelines of the La Liga: Celebrating Africa Day & Talent panel discussion at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg on Sunday.

“As far as Kaizer Chiefs are concerned, I do believe that with the signings they made this season and the fact that they brought a new technical team, they should have done better than what they have done, than what they achieved this season,” said Johnson.