First games in charge for Amakhosi coaches

Cavin Johnson will be in the dugout for the first time as interim Kaizer Chiefs coach when they travel to Lamontville Golden Arrows in the DStv Premiership on Saturday.

He will hope to get off to a flyer in a bid to persuade the powers that be at Naturena that he deserves the job permanently, but history has not always been kind to AmaKhosi tacticians in their first game in charge.

We look back at the maiden outing for the last seven permanent coaches.

STEVE KOMPHELA

August 5, 2015 – MTN8 Quarterfinal

Kaizer Chiefs 5-3 Maritzburg United

A crazy game, ironically against Komphela’s former side Maritzburg as the AmaKhosi won 5-3 after extra-time. The game finished 3-3 after extra-time after Chiefs had come from 2-0 down, before the home side rallied back. Siyanda Xulu scored at both ends. Komphela had just a single defeat in his first 14 games in charge (W7 D6).

GIOVANNI SOLINAS

August 4, 2018 – DStv Premiership

Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Kaizer Chiefs

A solid start to what would ultimately be a dismal stint in charge at Naturena for the Italian Solinas, as Chiefs got a draw at Pitso Mosimane’s Mamelodi Sundowns. Ramahlwe Mphahlele gave them an early lead before Ricardo Nascimento equalised with a penalty for Sundowns. Solinas was sacked within four months.

ERNST MIDDENDORP

December 12, 2018 – DStv Premiership

Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 SuperSport United

Middendorp made a strong start to life back in the hotseat for his second spell, winning his first three games in charge, and six of the first nine (L3). He started with a 1-0 win over SuperSport United, handed to him by a goal from George Maluleka in the second half.

GAVIN HUNT

October 18, 2020 – MTN8 Quarterfinal

Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 Maritzburg United

Hunt finally got his chance to coach