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Johnson's Chiefs striker dilemma

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Cavin Johnson could be faced with somewhat of a dilemma upfront, with both Jasond Gonzalez and Ranga Chivaviro yet to find their scoring form. 

Although the Glamour Boys are gradually finding their rhythm, with two wins from their last three matches, a growing concern among the Amakhosi faithful is that nearly halfway through the season, Chiefs' strikers are yet to find their scoring boots.   

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Signed on the back of a breakthrough season that saw him net 17 goals across all competitions, Chivaviro has scored just once for Chiefs this season and was visibly frustrated when he was substituted off against Polokwane City last weekend, after yet another game without a goal.

Johnson came to the defence of the former Marumo Gallants man.   

"He does come from an area where he scored I think 12 or 13 goals in the league (Chivaviro scored 10 league goals last season)," Johnson said after the match against Polokwane City. 

"So all that stuff, as far as a striker is concerned normally plays on your mind but the big thing he has to realise is that he is not playing for Marumo Gallants anymore or for AJ United. He is playing g for Kaizer Chiefs.

"That comes with so much pressure. Besides being a good player, besides being a good person because every game you play, whichever centre-back you play against, is not going to play, is not going to play at 50%, he is going to play at 150%. 

"So you have to up your game to 200%. That is the difference."

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Alongside Chivaviro, is Colombian striker Gonzalez, who was signed on loan and is yet to find the back of the net in eight appearances for Chiefs since his arrival in August.

The tall forward has failed to impress supporters but his case could be argued to lack of playing time or a playing style not suited to his qualities. 

Nevertheless, Johnson has called for patience over the loanee, who is unlikely to stay at Naturena beyond the season as things stand.

"I think if we give him a little bit more opportunity – I'll be able to train with him a little bit more," Johnson responded after a 1-0 win over Moroka Swallows.

"He will get used to what the Chiefs brand is all about – because South Americans don't worry about how big the brand is – as long as they play in front of people and when they do that, then they shine a bit better. 

"Yes, as a striker I think González has something in his feet and he will surprise a lot more when he starts understanding who we are as Africans and then we'll see a bit better he has very good feet, good body, he's getting better all the time." 

In the meantime, Edson Castillo and Pule Mmodi have shouldered the burden of finding goals for Amakhosi with the former scoring across all competitions and the latter with four under his belt. 

Johnson will also be relieved to welcome back speedy attacker Ashley Du Preez who is set to return to action after a lengthy injury.

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