Cavin Johnson warns Kaizer Chiefs face stern Red Arrows test

Former Kaizer Chiefs head coach Cavin Johnson says the Soweto club will face a demanding challenge when they meet Red Arrows FC in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup in Zambia.

The first leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola will test Chiefs’ ability to cope with difficult conditions, a hostile atmosphere and an opponent that is not easy to assess.

Red Arrows head coach Fernando Da Cruz has already warned that the match could expose weaknesses in Chiefs’ defence, while the South African side’s inconsistent domestic form adds to the pressure surrounding the fixture.

Johnson believes the increased financial rewards in the CAF Confederation Cup and the Champions League have made progression in continental competition more important for every club involved.

“Because of the prize money now available in the Confederation Cup and the Champions League, all teams are making a major effort to progress further in the tournaments,” Johnson told KickOff.

“With Sundowns at the top of African football, everyone now expects South African teams to be well prepared and to emulate what Sundowns have achieved over the last eight years. There is a great deal at stake.”

The former Chiefs manager also said the decline of established Zambian clubs has made Red Arrows an unpredictable opponent. Zanaco and Zesco, once among the country’s strongest sides, no longer carry the same influence, leaving Chiefs with limited knowledge of the team they are preparing to face.

“Zambian football has not been prominent for a long time. Zanaco and Zesco are not as powerful as they once were,” Johnson added.

“Red Arrows are an unknown quantity, unless Chiefs can obtain footage from Zambia to show the team what to expect.”

Johnson expects the atmosphere in Ndola to create another significant obstacle. Chiefs’ popularity across the continent could mean Red Arrows have more information about their opponents than the South African club has about the Zambian side.

“Another factor is the hostile environment. Chiefs have a large following across Africa, so their opponents may know more about Chiefs than Chiefs know about Zambia,” he said.

“It will be difficult. It depends on who wants it more.”

The fixture comes as Kaizer Chiefs attempt to improve a domestic campaign that has left supporters frustrated. The club are fourth in the Premiership table, but three successive draws have increased calls for greater consistency.

Da Cruz must therefore manage two demands: ensuring his players remain focused on the continental tie while also responding to growing dissatisfaction with their recent results at home.