Goal Senior Writer Ernest Makhaya interviews SuperSport United coach Cavin Johnson on Bafana’s chances against Botswana and the future of South African football Friday, 6 Sep 2013 16:30 EXCLUSIVE By Ernest Makhaya Goal: Coach Cavin thanks very much for your time. What’s your view on the Bafana and Botswana game on Saturday? Johnson: I think Bafana will do well tomorrow. I know Gordon [Igesund] will do well also. I have worked with him at Ajax and Sundowns. He does everything he can in the crucial stages like this. I think we can embrace ourselves for a win against Botswana. I will be in Durban to motivate him. Goal: What do you think Gordon should do to win this game? Johnson: I think he will have to go for his best attacking players, because this is a must-win clash for us. He’s got the best players to choose from and that should make his job easier. Goal: What do you think went wrong against Ethiopia having started well after taking over from Pitso Mosimane? Johnson: I didn’t get a chance to watch the game, but I think whatever went wrong then has been rectified. Goal: Now let’s talk about the standard of football in South Africa. What should be done after these qualifiers to ensure that Bafana compete against the best in Africa and in the world? Johnson: I think the only way to improve the standard of our football is to organize our younger teams better. Our youth teams need to be active and be given a chance to play. The coaches also should be given a chance to groom these players at a young age to ensure a bright future. This can be done to prepare for the 2018 Fifa World Cup. Goal: Talking about the future, would you, by any chance, be interested in coaching Bafana one day? Johnson: Any South African coach can tell you that they want to do well at club level to be considered for the Bafana job one day. I think the success that each South African coach tastes inspires him to move to Bafana. However, I chose to be with SuperSport United now, and one day I will want to see myself there [coaching Bafana]. Goal: Lastly Cavin, do you think other African powerhouses such as Nigeria and perhaps Bafana can really compete and make an impact in the World Cup. Johnson: Our African teams can do well in the 2014 Fifa World Cup including Bafana. If we beat Botswana and qualify for the next round, then I don’t see us failing to make it to Brazil. However, I think Africa is far away from making the semis of the World Cup; just not anytime soon.
Posted on: Fri, 06 Sep 2013 17:36:20 +0000