Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson has explained why new signing Luke Fleurs is yet to feature for the club.
Fleurs was signed a few weeks ago by Amakhosi after parting ways with SuperSport United in September.
He spent six seasons at SuperSport after being signed from Ubuntu Cape Town during the 2018/19 DStv Premiership season.
The promising young defender faces tough competition for the starting berth in Chiefs’ centre-back position. Amongst the players fighting for a place in the starting line-up in defence are Given Msimango, Thatoyaone Ditlhokwe, Njabulo Ngcobo, Zitha Kwinika, and Edmilson Dove.
So far in the 2023/24 campaign, Msimango and Ditlhokwe have been the preferred centre-back pairing. Msimango played nine matches in the league while Ditlhokwe featured in all league matches for the club.
With Fleurs itching to get his first start for the Glamour Boys, his coach Cavin Johnson has revealed why he’s yet to play.
CAVIN JOHNSON PROVIDES UPDATE ON LUKE FLEURS
“At the moment, he’s very very close [to playing], the problem with Luke is he hasn’t played for a long time,” said Johnson.
“So I think as a player, he’s a very good player, a good addition to our centre-back pairing. I think he can change it a little bit.
“But to put him a deep end [in the Soweto Derby], I think it will be myself and my technical team finding the right time and the right moment to bring him along.
The former Platinum Stars coach further responded to the ‘favourite tag’ to win the Soweto Derby. This comes after Chiefs won both their games against Orlando Pirates last season in the league.
“Well the fact that it’s Kaizer Chiefs versus Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium, already we should have the tag of being favourites.
“So I don’t think there’s anything to talk about. It’s Chiefs’ home game and what better stadium to play them in? It would be different if we were playing Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium, we would be underdogs.”
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