With Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson changing the fortunes around the club with just two months in charge, KickOff looks at the areas he has improved.
Style of play
One of Johnson's first tasks was to change the style of play at Amakhosi, to reflect their big team status, with demands to dominate matches, after former coach Molefi Ntseki was criticized for playing counter-attacking football.
Chiefs averaged 52% of ball possession under Ntseki and Johnson has slightly improved their abilities on the ball, as they average 56% under the former Al Ahly coach.
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Trust in Bvuma
Goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma made his first start in 13 months in a 1-0 win over Moroka Swallows and has steadied a problematic goalkeeping position for Chiefs this season.
The 28-year-old was looking to become the first Amakhosi shot-stopper since Itumeleng Khune in 2016 to keep four consecutive clean-sheets ahead of their last game against Sekhukhune United but unfortunately for him he conceded in a 1-1 draw, the only goal he conceded in his four games.
Solving midfield conundrum
There was a growing criticism that the midfield three of Yusuf Maart, Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Edson Castillo cannot play together, as Chiefs seemingly struggled to create chances.
Johnson eventually relented, including Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and sacrificed Castillo since their winning streak began against Swallows and was halted by Babina Noko.
Ngcobo has added creativity and spark in their midfield, which looked more attacking with 'Mshini' in the line-up.
Conclusion:
Following their draw against Sekhukhune, Johnson acknowledged that the new technical team has made some improvements but there's still more work to be done in 2024.
"We end the season with a draw and hopefully we're able to come back next year 2024 and could be a better year for us. We're happy that there's a lot of room that has improved. But there's also a lot of room that we can do much better in playing football," Johnson told reporters.
"The change as far as the team is concerned we brought a little bit more effort, technical ideas as far as the team should play and it has worked, the players have welcomed it, they enjoy it.
"And sometimes it just happens that you're able to do that with a particular team and it works. Sometimes I use the same methodology with another team and I will fail dismally," he added.
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