The interim Amakhosi tactician has opened up on the situation that was caught by the media during the Premier Soccer League’s loss against Bucs.
Former Kaizer Chiefs caretaker coach Cavin Johnson has denied claims goalkeeper Brandon Petersen said harsh words directed at him during his team's 3-2 loss against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby.
A clip of furious Petersen shouting at Johnson circulated in social media during the game played in March 2024, which made others question the custodian's discipline.
The Glamour Boys had twice taken a lead thanks to Ashley du Preez's brace, but Bucs responded courtesy of Monnapule Saleng and Thabiso Lebitso.
Was Petersen furious with Johnson?
“A picture tells a thousand words, and the picture that was painted on that particular day, was like we were going on [against] each other, but it was nothing,” Johnson told The Whistle Podcast.
“Honestly, the light is shining above my head. Like we would say in the old days, and the lightning can strike. I’m telling you the truth. Nothing happened.
“We were leading the game and we wanted to win the game and one of the players made a mistake; I said, and he got up and said, ‘But coach they’re not doing the right thing’, and I said, ‘It’s fine, don’t worry just sit down’. You get what I’m saying.
“But I encourage my players to do that because of our bench, the way the bench is set up, I am a head coach who likes interaction with my players,” Johnson added.
“There was nothing! There was absolutely nothing that happened on that day… he was not fighting. He was really, really not fighting and I can protect him in front of any court of law and he can protect me because there was nothing.”
What does the future hold for Petersen?
Petersen started the 2023/24 as the Glamour Boys' first-choice goalkeeper but made costly mistakes that saw Itumeleng Khune get back in between the posts.
The legendary custodian was demoted after a disciplinary breach, and despite getting back into the team, his contract has since expired.
Bruce Bvuma was given a chance to prove his worth, but the signing of Fiacre Ntwari means the former might be the club's second-choice keeper with Petersen serving as the third-choice.
