Thomas Johnson (South African footballer)

Thomas Johnson
Personal information
Full nameThomas Mhlupheki Maduna kaMchunu
Date of birth1942
Place of birthNorthern Natal, South Africa
Date of death23 February 2011 (aged 69)
Place of deathJohannesburg, South Africa
Playing positionWinger
Youth career
Heidelberg Happy Hearts
Pimville Real Rovers
Mofolo Dynamos
Moroka Swallows-Mbanya Group
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
Orlando Pirates F.C.
1971–1973Kaizer Chiefs (player-coach)24(10)
Teams managed
1973–?Gaborone United
1973–?Botswana
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Thomas Johnson is a former South African football player and manager.

He was one of the co-founders of Kaizer Chiefs,[1] the club's first captain and the first head coach of the Kaizer Chiefs team. He also competed in the first ever Soweto derby on 24 January, 1970 only 17 days after Chiefs' formation.

Coaching career

Johnson had coaching licenses from Germany, England and Brazil. Johnson attended a coaching courses in Germany and came back with videos to pass on his knowledge to other players.[2]Whilst head coach of Kaizer Chiefs, he won three South African FA Cups.[3]He was the technical director of Dona's Mates Youth Academy in Orange Farm.[4]

Personal life

He is survived by his wife, Dimakatso, eight children, seven grandchildren and on one great grand child.

Death

Johnson died from prostate cancer in February 2011.[5] He was buried in Soweto.[6]

References