Kaizer Chiefs have been written off as title contenders by their former interim coach Johnson, who says their inconsistent start has left them too far behind. The club sits fourth in the Premier Soccer League standings with 12 points from six unbeaten games, but a series of three draws has them trailing leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by eight points.
Johnson, who also coached AmaZulu, pointed to the constant tactical changes from new head coach Fernando da Cruz as the primary issue. He believes the frequent tinkering with the starting eleven is preventing the team from finding any rhythm, a problem that can be seen in the team's fluctuating squad selections.
"It’s very difficult [for Chiefs] because they change their line-up quite often," Johnson said. "He [Da Cruz] changes one or two players; sometimes he changes three players. This is not a recipe for consistency."
Da Cruz, who previously worked in Morocco, is new to South African football. Johnson emphasized that understanding the unique cultural landscape is vital for any foreign manager, referencing the need to manage players from Zulu, Xhosa and coloured backgrounds effectively. He suggested this adaptation period is contributing to the instability.
Despite flashes of quality and creating numerous chances, basic on-field mistakes have cost Chiefs dearly. They have dropped points in games they should have won, most recently in a 1-1 draw away to Polokwane City last weekend. Lebohang Maboe opened the scoring in that match before a late own goal. This pattern of missed opportunities is reflected in their overall stats.
The club's recent form reads two wins and three draws from their last five outings, a record that will be tested in their upcoming fixtures. With Sundowns and Orlando Pirates pulling away, Johnson sees the race as a two-horse affair, leaving Chiefs to focus on securing a top-four finish. He concluded that the gap is now too significant to close, especially given the team's current lack of a settled identity.
First reported at goal.com
