Johnson defends Chiefs' lacklustre performance on Khune's big day

Johnson was responding after the Chiefs' uninspiring goalless draw against City in their last 2023/2024 Dstv Premiership home of the season at the FNB Stadium on Saturday. Chiefs came to this game with a lot of expectations and looking to seal a top-eight spot, but their performance was underwhelming on the day. Johnson says this was not an ideal game to honour Khune for his service of 25 years to Amakhosi.

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''Is that you prepare,  and the athletes show that they understand what you are preparing. We then come to the game, you just can't put your finger on it. I wish I was a fortune teller or a magician to able to put a finger on those particular moments where we start slow. We wanted to give Khune not a good send off but to honour him in the right manner,'' said Johnson.

Johnson took over at Chiefs in October last year and was in charge of 20 matches, winning six, drawing six, and losing eight of those games. When the 65-year-old took over the reins at Amakhosi, the club was still in a good position to challenge for a CAF Champions League spot and the Nedbank Cup title. But going to the last game of the season, he’s still not assured of a top-eight spot. This is how he reviews his season.

''When you talk like that, for me to give myself praise, I think that will be bad, anyone who praises himself must be a billionaire - I am not in that stage yet,'' added Johnson.

Polokwane City had some big chances in the second half, moments that could have easily turned the game in their favor and stolen the maximum points. City co-coach Phuthi Mohafe lamented the missed opportunities in this game.

City have been a formidable force at the back since the 5-0 drubbing they suffered in the Western Cape against Stellenbosch. Since then, they have produced four clean sheets, a testament to their solid defensive strategy and the centre-back pairing of captain Bulelanii Nikani and Lebohang Nkaki, who played together at Mangaung Unite in Bloemfontein.