Chiefs ‘back on track’, declares Johnson after Duba’s super strike sinks Arrows

Wandile Duba has the potential to be a top striker if he keeps his feet on the ground, said Cavin Johnson after the teen’s super strike earned Kaizer Chiefs a 1-0 victory against Lamontville Golden Arrows that Amakhosi’s coach admitted was far from convincing.

Duba scored a blinder in the 11th minute at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night to give Chiefs a boost in confidence ahead of Saturday’s Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates at the same venue (3.30pm).

Chiefs’ 19-year-old youth product was playing his third Premiership match this season after six league and cup appearances in the second half of last campaign following his promotion from Amakhosi’s reserve side in January 2023.

Johnson felt Chiefs, who finally earned a win and found the back of the net in their fourth match of 2024, edged the first half but lost their way in a second 45 minutes where they were mostly on the back foot.

 “I thought we played very well in the first half and we got a goal from a 19-year-old who has been knocking on the door for a while,” the coach said.

“Like I said before, we have 30 players in our squad and all 30 should be capable of starting the game.

“We had a good first half. I thought we could have put away another chance or two.

“Then we come out in the second half, we still dominate but we allow Golden Arrows to get back in the game somewhere along the line and they threaten us.

“I don’t think they had clear, clear chances. I must look at it because when you’re the opposite coach you just want the ball away from your net. So when I see it’s not in the net then I don’t look at how they missed the chances but I do think they had the better part of the ball in the second half and we should have done better.

“We should have pushed for the second goal better and that would have taken the rhythm out of Arrows.

“It was not to be but we are happy we have our eighth clean sheet [in succession] and we scored a goal, and we are back on track. We gained three points whereas last week we lost two points.

“We are OK, and we get on with it and fight for the next game.”

Duba got his first start of the season having played a minute in Chiefs’ 0-0 draw against Royal AM and then impressed in 34 minutes off the bench in a dull draw by the same scoreline against Moroka Swallows at FNB on Saturday.

Johnson was asked why the young forward has taken so long to be introduced in 2023-24.

“To judge him on one game would be premature. But to judge him on the training sessions and the mentality and attitude he has had at training he probably has a long way to go at Kaizer Chiefs.

“He has to keep on cutting the cloth and then he will get somewhere. If he stays humble I think he will be a good striker.”

The coach was asked about Chiefs’ lack of dominance in their home performance.

“In the second half we really didn’t win the ball and control the ball. We try to win the ball back from the opponent and if we have the ball they can’t score.

“Sometimes football doesn’t allow you to do that because the opponent is a bit cleverer than you in certain positions on the pitch.

“In patches we didn’t do that. We have to do it more like we did in the first half where we held the ball and didn’t lose it.

“Even where we did lose it, the player who lost the ball didn’t necessarily win it. It was another player who would win it back. That gives the whole team confidence.

“For sure, you [the media] know I am going to work on that. We are going to get it right.”

Chiefs’ win would have lifted the mood at Amakhosi after a Nedbank Cup last 32 exit at the hands of first division Milford FC.