Botswana national team vice-captain Benson Kitso Mangolo has identified a frailty Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson needs to address urgently.
Chiefs have not had the best start to the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season and risk finishing the season empty-handed again.
Amakhosi are in 10th place on the log, having four games, drew two, and lost six times after 12 games. They also missed out on the MTN8 title, eventually won by their bitter rivals Orlando Pirates, while they were booted out of the Carling Knockout Cup.
Mangolo has noted a frailty that has cost them a few times this season. In fact, it also contributed to Johnson’s loss in his first game in charge of Chiefs against Golden Arrows.
“TT [Thatayaone Ditlhokwe] has adapted well, and many thought he would struggle. That’s only because Chiefs are a big team with a lot of pressure. They demand results,” Mangolo told FARPost.
“But I’m glad he has adapted quickly and marshalled that defence so well. We always talk. When he comes here, we always have a chat. It’s just unfortunate that results are not coming.”
Ditlhokwe has featured in 16 games since joining the Soweto giants from SuperSport United on a free transfer. 12 were in the DStv Premiership, three in MTN8, and one in the CKO.
WHAT FRAILTY DOES JOHNSON HAVE TO ADDRESS AT CHIEFS?
“Chiefs want to play back passes to their goalkeeper [Brandon Petersen]. They did it in the MTN8 Cup, and Peter Shalulile scored. It’s the same goal they conceded against Golden Arrows two weeks ago,” added Mangolo.
“For their build-up, they should avoid back passes. I feel they can do much better scanning the space before making those back passes.
“A lot of teams would have noticed that weakness, and they set pressing traps.
Chiefs’ goalkeeper is uncomfortable with the ball at his feet, so it’s always a challenge when they do those back passes.”
Meanwhile, Mangolo has described how it felt to eliminate Orlando Pirates from the CAF Champions League.
“It was a great feeling for us. These guys [Jwaneng Galaxy] did it again after COVID when they beat Simba of Tanzania.
“You know Pirates is a big team. We watch them, we see them all the time. It was a motivation playing a big team.”
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