First games in charge for Kaizer Chiefs coaches

Dennis TOctober 26, 2023

11 3 minutes read

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 one of South Africa’s big three, but it would end in tears after he was sacked before the season was over as Chiefs just never clicked under his tutelage. To be fair, he was fighting a transfer ban and a squad that desperately needed refreshing, and the side did make the CAF Champions League final that campaign. He started with a 2-1 win over Maritzburg, as Chiefs came from behind to win thanks to a brace from an unlikely source, Yagan Sasman.

STUART BAXTER

July 17, 2021 – CAF Champions League Final

Kaizer Chiefs 0-3 Al Ahly

Baxter’s first game in charge was the Champions League final against Mosimane’s Al Ahly and following a red card for Happy Mashiane, the Soweto side were well-beaten. Coincidentally, the first game of his maiden spell with Chiefs in 2012 was against Mosimane’s Sundowns and The Brazilians claimed a thumping 4-1 win!

ARTHUR ZWANE

April 23, 2022 – DStv Premiership

Stellenbosch FC 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs

Zwane had previously been caretaker coach, but the start of what would end up being his permanent spell in charge came with an away fixture against Stellenbosch following the axing of Baxter. Deano van Rooyen scored the only goal as Zwane lost his first two matches at the helm, the other to Lamontville Golden Arrows (1-2).

MOLEFI NTSEKI

August 6, 2023 – DStv Premiership

Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 Chippa United

Ntseki moved from technical director to head coach at the start of this season and began with a lowkey 0-0 draw against Chippa United. He won one of his first four games (D1 L2) and in the end lasted only 13 games, which included six defeats.

Source: Supersport

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