Johnson backing Stars to shine on dual fronts
Platinum Stars may not be in the same category as the “big clubs” but they can’t be ruled out of the equation as contenders for trophies.
|||Johannesburg - Platinum Stars may not be in the same category as the so-called big clubs but they can’t be ruled out of the equation as contenders for trophies.
Though they may not be as resourced as the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United, Dikwena have the type of quality that can compete for honours.
In the previous campaign, the men coached by Cavin Johnson surprised all and sundry by spending the better part of the season in the championship zone. They faded at the end but still finished in a lofty third position to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.
Johnson has rejuvenated his team with a good number of youngsters, the coach having promoted nine juniors to the first team. He is hoping that with renewed strength, his team can go a notch higher in the new season starting in the last week of this month.
“I hope it will go well for us. We will be playing in so many competitions - the local competitions and the Confederation Cup, “ Johnson said. “Hopefully, with this mix of youngsters and senior players, we will be able to stamp our authority in matches and enforce our playing philosophy. That way we will compete with the bigger teams - Sundowns, Pirates, Wits, Chiefs and SuperSport,” said Johnson.
He acknowledges though, that next season will be more competitive.
“It’s going to be a little bit more competitive than last year because a lot of quality players have moved from club to club, but we don’t really look at that. We look at ourselves and say we have got to be careful of X, Y and Z because they have so and so in their books now. But if they have the same coach, their approach of the game doesn’t change much.”
The Phokeng-based outfit also released a number of players at the end of the season. The likes of Tlou Segolela, Eleazar Rodgers, Letladi Madubanya, Bouna Coundoul, Kagiso Mlambo, Thabiso Semenya,Sibusiso Hadebe, Mahlatse Makudubela, Emmanuel Mathias, Mduduzi Nyanda and Vincent Khumalo have since left the club. Despite the exodus Johnson is confident that he has a team that can challenge strong for the title. He also indicated that he may sign more players.
“We managed to maintain a lot of the core from last year's squad. The strength is still there. The youngsters we brought into the team bring a lot of diversity and we are happy with that.”
While he is happy with his squad, Johnson has not ruled out the possibility of further signings before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
“There's maybe a 90 percent chance that we might go to the market. We would like to add two more players,” he explained. “But for now, I am comfortable that if we had to go into a PSL game tomorrow we will be able to play.”
Analysis
Platinum Stars is not a club teeming with stars. They thrive on team work, an approach that has worked for them over the past seasons.Under Johnson though, they have played a brand of attacking football that is typically South African - the coach allowing his players to be expressive on the pitch. It is for this reason that the troublesome yet hugely skillful Maibusane Zongo had a stint with the club last season.
They are going into continental football this season and while the club has previously been in CAF competition, it will be interesting to see if they have enough depth to compete on both the local and international front. Where they have always done well though is against the league's traditional big fish.
Last season they completed a league double over Chiefs and got four points from their encounters with Pirates. It was not surprising then, that they finished in third place. Can they repeat that good showing or even do better this time around? It will be a tough ask. But not in anyway impossible.
If Johnson manages to quickly get his good mix of youth and experience into a well-oiled team as well as find a balance between domestic and continental assignments, Stars should give a good account of themselves and push the favourites all the way.
Key man
Ndumiso Mabena
After close to what were five unfruitful and no doubt frustrating years at Orlando Pirates, Ndumiso Mabena resurrected himself at Platinum Stars, where he has established himself as a key player. That Stars have managed to keep Mabena, who was a target of numerous teams, is set to work for their advantage.
The striker managed to score 10 goals last season, a good return that saw him being an influential figure for Stars as they moved up the table to a good finish. He was not only the club's best player but also the sole Stars player to be called up to the Bafana Bafana squad for whom he played a minimal role in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
What makes the 29-year-old an asset is the fact he can play both as a target man and as a shadow striker, giving Johnson good options. He has an eye for goal and his workrate is such that he keeps defenders on their toes while also opening up scoring opportunities for his striking partner.
Yet he needs to improve on his finishing, the lad from Groblersdal often missing a handful of opportunities before he converts. Yet when he is firing, Stars often shine.
New signings
Henrico Botes (Bidvest Wits), Stephen Hoffman (Vasco Da Gama), Benson Shilongo (Gaborone United), Thobani Kunene (Kings United)
Position in previous five seasons: 3rd, 11th, 8th, 2nd, 10th
The Star