Kaizer Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson has come to the defence of striker Ranga Chivaviro who has struggled to rediscover his scoring form since his high-profile move to Amakhosi ahead of the new season.
The Soweto giants made it two wins on the bounce with a 1-0 victory over Polokwane Cuty on Saturday afternoon at New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The winning goal came from Pule Mmodi, whose three goals now make him the club's leading goal scorer in the league, while Edson Castillo is the club's top scorer across all competitions.
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One man though who has struggled to find the scoring form that made him one of the most sought after strikers in Africa is Chivaviro. The former Marumo Gallants striker has scored just once for Chiefs this season and was visibly frustrated when he was substituted off in the second half.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Johnson said he understood Chivaviro's frustration.
"I have to go back, make sure his head is clean," Johnson said.
"You know what it's like, strikers are like goal keepers, they are mad. Sometimes they are mad, they want to score goals.
"That's what fuels their body when they score goals. Yes I feel he should have scored one. He had a nice chance. He made it himself. He put it on his left foot.
"I thought if he was just a little bit calmer, the right side of the goal was open but he tried to take a snap shot. He just pushed it in, it would have been a goal but not to be today
"He does come from an area where he scored I think 12 or 13 goals in the league (Chivaviro scored 10 league goals last season). So all that stuff, as far as a striker is concerned normally plays on your mind
"But the big thing he has to realise is that he is not playing for Marumo Gallants anymore or for AJ United. He is playing g for Kaizer Chiefs.
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"That comes with so much pressure. Besides being a good player, besides being a good person because every game you play, which ever centre back you play against, is not going to play, is not going to play at 50%, he is going to play at 150%.
"So you have to up your game to 200%. That is the difference."
The win takes Chiefs up to sixth place on the DStv Premiership and the Soweto giants will a chance to climb further up when they take on Richards Bay on 23 December at FNB Stadium.
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