Cavin Johnson enjoyed a great season as an assistant coach to Gordon Igesund at Mamelodi Sundowns in 2006/07, winning the league with one of the greatest teams in the PSL era, which included the likes of Surprise Moriri, Godfrey Sapula, Esrom Nyadoro and Lerato Chabangu. Soccer Laduma got in touch with Johnson to talk about what it was like working at Sundowns that time, just a few years after Patrice Motsepe had taken over as president of the club.
The season
It was the 2006/07 season, because the season before that was Neil Tovey and Gamondi (as co-coaches).
How the move happened
I was at Ajax Cape Town in the first team, and then I went on to become the head of youth. My contract came to an end and they did not offer me anything more. I was stuck in Cape Town because there was only Santos and Ajax. It was the time when Neil Tovey and Miguel became head coaches of Sundowns. Neil was the head of youth, and because myself and Neil had a very good relationship from the time I was at School of Excellence, he called me and asked what I was doing. I told him I did not renew my contract with Ajax and then he said why don't I come down and become the head of youth at Sundowns. I said 'no problem'. That's how I got to move to Sundowns. Becoming the Sundowns assistant coach came when Neil and Gamondi left. Gordon (Igesund) came in as the head coach and he was there for about two months. At the time, I think Farouk (Khan) was his assistant. Farouk left and then Gordon asked me because he and I had worked together at Ajax. That's how I became the assistant to Gordon.
Working relationship with the head coach
Myself and Gordon always had a good relationship. It was Gordon, myself and Alex Heredia, who was the goalkeeper coach. Harris Choeu was the (team) manager. The relationship was good and the team was really good. We had a very good team at Sundowns. We had probably the best team at that time. The relationship was good. We had a good time. I think we could have won the league wit six games to go, if we had done things differently. Because we worked at Ajax together, we knew each other personality wise.
My role as assistant coach
I was there to back Gordon up completely and to try to understand his philosophy and to help him get the team to another level. I knew what his tactics were all the time. So, whether it was good or bad, I could back him up. If it was not going right, I could always tell him that we need to change here or there. In all respect, he did listen. And like all head coaches, they listen but whether they apply their mind and use your information, it's not for you to say 'I did this'. There were many games and things I changed and many strategies we did during the week for the next game, but it's not for you as an assistant to tell the world that 'I did this'. When we work together, his head is on the block and he makes the decisions knowing that you back him all the time.
Who was in the team
If you look at the goalkeepers, we had Calvin Marlin, Brian Baloyi and Andre Arendse. In the left back position, we had David Kannemeyer and Oscar Ntwagae. At centre back, we had Michael Manzini, Benson Mhlongo and 'Old John' Mabizela. At right back, we had Vuyo Mere. In the middle of the park, we would have Esrom Nyandoro, Brent Carelse, Godfrey Sapula and (Jorge) Acuna. Upfront, there was Jose Torrealba, Surprise Moriri and Lerato Chabangu. We had Dillon Sheppard and Josta used to play on the right. We also had Tyren Arendse and 'Shakes' (Manqoba Ngwenya). We had Peter Ndlovu as well. We had a lot of internationals in the team. At the time, the person who owned Sundowns was still fairly new - Patrice Motsepe. He wanted to make his mark and I think he did not miss a home game during that season. For that reason, there was a big hype about the president being at all our games. He was always available to come to the dressing room to chat to the players, so that was an added bonus. He was always positive towards the players.
Who the captain and why
It was Michael Manzini. When we got there, Michael was already the captain. Michael was a true leader and he was very straight. He was not a player who would mess around. I don't think Michael drank or smoked. He was an astute leader and he led the team by example. He was never late for training and he would never give you problems at training. We was always willing to work 100 percent. We had a good spine which was led by Michael.
The success
We won the league that season. I think our preparation for working out which games we had to win was important. If you look at Kickoff magazines from back then, there was an article where was a picture of a board we had. That board is what we thought about - when we can lose, when we can draw and when we can win. We did not lose many games that season.
Who picked the team?
Wherever I have worked, the coached picked the team. I have never worked at a place where there was interference. I can tell you Gordon picked the team, with his technical team. It probably happens a lot in the PSL, but wherever I have worked, the head coach picks the team. As an assistant, you put your 20 or 30 cents in the bag and he (the head coach) is the one who puts out the team. That's how it works.
Best thing about the Sundowns job
Working at Sundowns that time was an amazing experience. It allowed me to grow in many ways because of the type of players we were working with and the type of ownership we had. There were incentives for the players, which made them do better and show their qualities. It also gave me a lot as an assistant to rely on, if I ever went on to work with somebody else. I got a lot of insight into the game because of Patrice. He gave us a lot of insight, as far as remunerating his personnel was concerned. That enhanced the product on the pitch. You can't be looking at getting a big pay cheque without doing anything. You had to go out there and you had to work honestly and diligently, even though it had always been in my DNA from the time I was a paperboy. I don't care if I earn R10 or R10 million. I always put my 100 percent into the project.
Worst thing about the Sundowns job
I think the worst thing that happened at Sundowns was that, in the end we had won the league, and then they brought in Trott Moloto and asked me to step aside. That was the worst part at Sundowns. It's normal in football, but not for me because I thought I was taking a step up. Luckily for me, Gamondi got the job at Silver Stars as head coach and he came to fetch me to work with him at Stars. That's what happened.
Would you do it again?
Yes. At Sundowns, for sure. I could do it again at Sundowns.
On Sundowns winning the league this season
You first have to give credit to the leadership at Sundowns and then you have to give credit to Rulani (Mokwena) for doing what he has done with the team. And then you have to give credit to the players for accepting the role Rulani has taken. He has proved with the backing of Steve (Komphela), Manqoba (Mngqithi) and Wendell (Robinson), that he is able to get his message across and be successful.
