Cavin Johnson says off-season speculation linking others to his job or the head coach positions at other clubs is the norm of South African football and cannot be taken seriously.
Media reports in late May and June constantly linked others to the Usuthu coaching role; amongst those linked were former Free State Stars and Polokwane City boss Luc Eymael as well as Eric Tinkler, currently at Maritzburg United.
Already this week, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has been reported to be wanting to leave and Johnson says this speculation comes with the territory.
Johnson and his team are busy winding up preparations for the new Absa Premiership season, which is set to kick-off this weekend.
After a long and quiet off-season for Usuthu, they will launch their 2019/20 campaign with a home game against Bidvest Wits in Umlazi on Saturday.
Speaking at the Moses Mabhida Outer Fields where the team was training, Johnson was asked if he could promise fans any silverware this season and responded by saying it is a wish of every coach.
After playing the Students on Saturday, Usuthu will then travel to Polokwane City in round two, followed by meetings with Orlando Pirates, Highlands Park and then Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Johnson says the dream is to win every one of these games for a total of 15 points after five matches, but he acknowledges that this is highly improbable.
Lehlohonolo Majoro and Andre de Jong of New Zealand – both attacking players – are the only new players signed by AmaZulu so far this season.
The pair is expected to provide some much-needed firepower that most clubs are desperate for in attack.
Johnson does not expect any more signings to arrive, although he has not ruled out a move should something got wrong within his squad. – Reports by Thahir Asmal
