Kaizer Chiefs have parted ways with head coach Cavin Johnson, effective immediately, following a dispute regarding his CAF qualifications. The decision ends JohnsonS tenure after less than a season with the club.
The separation comes amid questions surrounding Johnson’s eligibility to coach in CAF competitions,a matter brought to light following Chiefs’ recent participation in the CAF Champions League. While the club had initially supported Johnson, the issue proved insurmountable, leading to the mutual agreement to terminate his contract. This impacts Chiefs’ immediate plans for continental competition and necessitates the swift appointment of a new coach capable of navigating CAF requirements.
Johnson was appointed before the 2023-24 season, tasked with rebuilding the team after a nine-season trophy drought and a 10th-place finish in the 2022-23 Premiership.He successfully ended that drought, securing the 2023 Nedbank cup with a 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates.
Prior to joining Chiefs,Johnson had experienced success in Tanzania,winning the Premier League with Young Africans in both 2021-22 and 2022-23,and leading them to the 2022-23 Confederation Cup final. He also achieved a second-place finish in Morocco’s Botola with FAR Rabat in the 2023-24 season.
Despite winning the nedbank Cup, Chiefs struggled for consistency under Johnson, finishing ninth in the 2024-25 Premiership. The team had shown signs of improvement with new signings heading into the 2025-26 season, but Johnson will not be at the helm to see that progress through. During Johnson’s absence, assistants khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze oversaw three victories against Stellenbosch FC, Polokwane City, and Richards Bay, leading to speculation about the team’s performance under their leadership. Information from within the club suggested Johnson faced challenges in connecting with players. The CAF qualification issue and a personal matter involving his wife are believed to have contributed to the decision.
