Former Kaizer Chiefs Coach Explains Controversial Exit of Young Winger

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson has shed light on the controversial departure of Puso Dithejane, claiming the club was unfairly pressured into a decision after the player refused to act as a ball boy.

Dithejane, who has since joined Chicago Fire FC, left Naturena under a cloud of controversy following an incident where he was asked to be a ball boy for a first-team match.

Cavin Johnson insists that plans were already underway to promote the talented youngster to the senior squad before the dispute.

"Dithejane didn't leave because he was not a good player or a bad player; he left because he didn't do the right thing at the right time," Johnson explained in an interview with KickOff.

The former coach detailed the circumstances, linking the request to sponsorship regulations for the Black Label Knockout competition.

"It's common sense that, regarding the Black Label matches, all the ball boys must be over 18. Those are rules. In South Africa, you must be over 18 to drink, so you can't have a competition with U-18 players advertising liquor," he stated. "That was the crux of the matter."

According to Johnson, Dithejane's reaction was one of outright defiance. "Dithejane didn't want to do it. There's a letter at Kaizer Chiefs that he wrote himself, him and [Omega] Mdaka, saying, ‘Hey, you guys, I'm not going to do this, I don't care who is asking. Is it Irvin Khoza? Is it Kaizer Motaung? I don't care.’"

However, Johnson noted that the player has since shown remorse. "I think the boy has done an interview a few months ago, where he said he apologised to Kaizer [Motaung] Jr. and to the chairman [Kaizer Motaung] for what he's done, and it's water under the bridge. So, he has to carry on with his football."

Johnson also clarified that Kaizer Chiefs never intended to discard the player. "Chiefs never said they don't want to promote the player. Chiefs never rushed things in this matter.

They explained to the two boys that disciplinary actions would be taken against them, and then they [Dithejane and Mdaka] wrote a letter saying, 'We are not going to do that. I'd rather leave.' The two of them."

The experienced coach concluded that in such situations, allowing a player to leave is often the most practical solution. For a potential return, Johnson suggested direct communication between the clubs.

"I think what should happen now, Chiefs should speak to Tim Sukazi, he owns the club, and the player has a contract with TS Galaxy. You either talk to the agent or you talk to the owner."