Cavin Johnson explains tactical reasons for starting Kwinika over Frosler
Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson has explained why Zitha Kwinika got the nod in the starting line-up ahead of Reeve Frosler in the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates.
Zwinika earned a rare start in the right-back position as Chiefs succumbed to a 1-0 derby defeat to arch-rivals Pirates at a packed FNB Stadium on Saturday in the DStv Premiership.
The narrow loss courtesy of a goal by Evidence Makgopa was Chiefs second under Cavin Johnson after losing 2-1 against Golden Arrows last weekend. They bounced back and claimed a 3-2 victory against Cape Town Spurs on Wednesday.
Johnson took over the coaching reigns from Ntseki, who was fired last month due to poor start to the 2023/24 campaign.
The Naturena-based side won four games in the league, drawing two, and lost six times in 12 matches. They are sitting ninth on the league table with 14 points.
While Frosler has been a preferred choice in the right wing-back position, he was a surprise exclusion from Chiefs starting 11 against Pirates.
The 25-year-old defender featured in 14 matches in all competitions for Amakhosi this season and contributed one assist.
Meanwhile, Kwinika has eight games under his belt in the current campaign in all competitions at Chiefs.
Johnson revealed why Kwinika was preferred in the right-back position ahead of Frosler in the Soweto Derby.
ZITHA KWINIKA STARTED FOR CHIEFS IN THE SOWETO DERBY TO STOP DEON HOTTO
“It was just tactics, in some seconds we knew that [Deon] Hotto would come and when the game went on, Hotto didn’t come,” said Johnson.
“I think if you look at the game first-half and the second-half Hotto [contribution] became very little with Zitha on the pitch. We put Frosler back in so that we could get something more upfront, I think by then it was a little bit too late.
“But when Hotto and Zitha were on the field, Hotto didn’t go forward as much as he does with other teams.
“Also fresh legs were part of the thinking behind it as well. Frosler played the whole game on Wednesday [against Cape Town Spurs]. Zitha hasn’t played, so we need to get fresh legs.”
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