‘We’ve just turned a bit of the corner’: Johnson says Chiefs need momentum

Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson was happy with how his players responded late in the game when it looked like they would continue their winless run against SuperSport United in Polokwane on Saturday, but stressed Amakhosi need to find momentum.

Chiefs beat Gavin Hunt's SuperSport 2-1 courtesy of a well-placed late shot by attacking midfielder Mududuzi Shabalala to end a five-match winless streak that included three successive defeats to Stellenbosch FC, Chippa United and Richards Bay FC before Saturday's game.

Johnson was relieved after the victory, saying he is was now looking forward to Chiefs' last five games including the next assignment against runaway leaders Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium on Thursday. He pointed out Saturday's victory will mean nothing if Chiefs cannot find a winning rhythm in the final stage of the campaign.

“I don't think anyone should be relieved. There's still five games left and we as Kaizer Chiefs are not relieved with that,” he said.

“If it was the other way round — five wins and maybe today we had a draw — then maybe we would be upset. 

“I think we've just turned a bit of the corner and we've got to prepare ourselves better for the next game.” 

Amakhosi opened the scoring through Christian Saile in the 19th minute at Peter Mokaba Stadium, with Terrence Dzvakamanja equalising via the penalty spot in the 53rd, with Shabalala's winner coming in the 76th.

“I was happy with how we responded, especially after SuperSport cancelled [Christian] Saile's goal. I think 'Shabba' [Shabalala] place it very well, no power, just calmness and effort,” Johnson said. 

“We won the game but in saying that they also hit the crossbar and they got a penalty and it was 1-1, and there we go again.

“We needed to come out of that blocks and start the game as if we were starting all over. The players responded well and we ended winning the game.”

The coach was pleased to see Shabalala score the winner and his first league goal for the club this season.

“Shabalala has been on the fringes for a while now and has been in and out. When I started [as interim coach] I think he had played a few games and now he's coming in and out. The last game [against Bay] he came in [to start] and played probably 70 minutes.

“But he's always been there and has been a quality player. He's always been someone who is fighting to be in the team and tonight he scores a goal.

“It's any other player in his position. It makes them better players when they score goals. I think he played very well tonight.”