Cavin Johnson opts to retain Dillon Sheppard as Kaizer Chiefs ring changes

The struggling Amakhosi – the biggest football club in the Southern African region in terms of support base – were forced to make changes to their technical team this week. 

READ: Kaizer Chiefs part ways with head coach Molefi Ntseki

A decision was taken on Monday to part ways with head coach Molefi Ntseki less than four months into his tenure, owing to a string of poor results which culminated in their Carling Knockout elimination at the first hurdle.

A 1-0 loss to AmaZulu this past weekend saw Chiefs exit their second cup competition this season after they were dumped out of the MTN8 in the semi-final by Mamelodi Sundowns. 

Johnson, who was appointed Head of Academy in Naturena just a month ago, has since been handed the interim reins, while Sheppard will remain as the sole assistant for now – leaving Arthur Zwane demoted back to the youth ranks.

However, it is not yet clear which role Zwane, who was The Glamour Boys’ head coach just last season, will occupy, with Vela Khumalo having done well with the reserve team since taking over the position.

NTSEKI’S TURBULENT REIGN

Ntseki, who was appointed as the head coach at the end of June in what appeared to have been a panic move when a coaching search to replace Arthur Zwane had not yielded positive results.

Their struggles have also been evident in the DStv Premiership, where Chiefs currently sit in eighth spot – 13 points behind log leaders Sundowns after only nine games in the 2023/2024 campaign. 

The former Bafana Bafana head coach was the target and victim of three separate fan violence incidents, as the club’s supporters protested against the poor spate of results during his period in charge.

In only 13 games, Ntseki returned four wins, three draws, and six losses.

READ: AmaZulu send Kaizer Chiefs packing from Carling Knockout

CAN JOHNSON STEADY THE SHIP?

Johnson, a former Platinum Stars and SuperSport United head coach, who also won the 2020 CAF Champions League title with Egyptian giants Al Ahy as assistant coach to Pitso Mosimane, had recently joined Chiefs to replace Ntseki in his old job as Head of Academy. 

SABC Sport has learnt that Chiefs had contemplated removing the entire technical team, including assistants Sheppard and Zwane, but Johnson opted to retain the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Seven Stars winger to help him turn the club’s fortunes around.

The respected youth mentor will be in charge of his first game when Chiefs visit high-riding and second-placed Golden Arrows in a league clash in Hammersdale, KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

After struggling to find their head coach target during the off-season, it remains to be seen which direction Chiefs will now take, with most of their preferred suitors currently occupied, probably, until the end of the season. 

The club has not won any silverware since the 2014/2015 season, when they last lifted the league and MTN8 cup double under Stuart Baxter.