Platinum Stars can’t do any more to get noticed‚ but Cavin Johnson’s not bothered by it

26 August 2016 - 17:59 By Marc Strydom
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Platinum Stars coach Cavin Johnson during the Absa Premiership match between Bidvest Wits and Platinum Stars at Bidvest Stadium on February 03, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Platinum Stars coach Cavin Johnson during the Absa Premiership match between Bidvest Wits and Platinum Stars at Bidvest Stadium on February 03, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Image: Gallo Images

Platinum Stars finished third in the Premier Soccer League last season having fought relegation the previous year‚ and were barely noticed for it.

But coach Cavin Johnson shrugs that lack of acknowledgement off with characteristic good humour as his side prepare to take on Chippa United in Saturday’s MTN8 quarterfinal at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rusteburg (3pm).

“What can I say? This is South African football‚ hey. It goes on names‚ not performance‚” the down to earth‚ wisecracking and sharp-witted Stars coach said on Friday.

“That’s [the media’s] prerogative. They write what the want to write‚ and do what they want to do – it doesn’t really bother me.”

Almost all the attention last season went to Mpumalanga Black Aces as surprise packages‚ even though Muhsin Ertugral’s side eventually only finished fourth.

Stars kept plugging away and snuck into third place behind Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits almost unheralded.

The feat was all the more remarkable in that Johnson had arrived back at his old club – who he coached to runners-up in 2012-13‚ before leaving for a mediocre stint at SuperSport United – and saved them from relegation in 2014-15.

As usual‚ Platinum have lost big-name players in the off-season such as Letladi Madubanya Eleazar Rodgers‚ and replaced them with youngsters.

Among their signings are strikers Benson Shilongo‚ the Namibia international from Botswana’s Gaborone United‚ and Thobani Kunene from ABC Motsepe League club Kings United. They have promoted eight players from their development.

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“It’s part of the philosophy of the club‚” Johnson said.

“When you look at how our MDC team did as far as playing is concerned last season‚ I thought they did very well as youngsters and some deserved a shot in the first team.

“Wednesday night [Stars’ 1-0 league win at home to SuperSport United] was no exception – we had two very young players on the pitch and four very young players on the bench.

“I mean two of my main positions – my one centreback [Thamsanqa Gwabeni] and my right-back [Sphamandla Mlilo‚ who was red-carded] – were both young players from the MDC‚ debuting in the PSL.

“For us it’s about getting the philosophy to where we want to get it; promoting as many youngsters as we can‚ because that’s why we have an academy; and at the same time to try to get as many people into the stands as we can.”

Stars meet a Chippa side who play exciting football under coach Dan Malesela. Their first top eight finish in 2015-16 has many tipping the Chili Boys as a surprise package this season.

“They play a quick game with a lot of running with the ball. They are a good team under Dan. And ja‚ we don’t expect any favours tomorrow‚” Johnson said.

“But they shouldn’t expect any favours from us‚ because they are playuing at the Royal Bafokeng‚ and we want to make that our home where people think twice to come and get points from us.”

Chippa opened their league season with a 2-1 win against Free State Stars at home in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday‚ with both their goals scored in the first half by Rhulani Manzini.

- TMG Digital/The Times

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