By Michael Madyira
Kaizer Chiefs’ Premier Soccer League improvement under coach Cavin Johnson will be put to a stern test when they visit Royal AM at Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday.
The Soweto giants started the season on a difficult note, leading to the sacking of Molefi Ntseki.
But they experienced a rise in their fortunes under Johnson before the Africa Cup of Nations break.
After three wins and a draw prior to the recess, they would be keen to maintain that form and climb up the table from sixth position.
What could make Chiefs’ afternoon a difficult one on Sunday is that they come up against a Royal AM side who are 14th in the standings, desperate to steer away from the relegation zone.
Amakhosi goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma is well aware of the danger posed by Thwihli Thwahla.
“We have done our analysis on Royal AM,” Bvuma told Chiefs’ media.
“We know they are in a position they don’t want to be in, but to be honest, they are a very good team.”
“However, we have done our homework and we know how they play. As Kaizer Chiefs, we take every game as a big game, a final, so we want to go there and collect maximum points, and give our supporters a good start to 2024.”
Johnson has shown trust in the squad he has, opting against signing players during the January transfer window.
It is a decision he hopes will not come back to bite him as the season approaches the more demanding phase.
Their opponents Royal AM were also inactive in the transfer market due to a Fifa player transfer ban; and coach John Maduka will make do with the material already at his disposal.
Pictured above: Kaizer Chiefs forward Jasond Gonzalez tries to get past two Royal AM defenders in the PSL reverse fixture in September 2023
Image source: Kaizer Chiefs
