Thomas Johnson | |
Full Name: | Thomas Mhlupheki Maduna kaMchunu |
Birth Date: | 1942 |
Birth Place: | Northern Natal, South Africa |
Death Date: | 23 February 2011 (aged 69) |
Death Place: | Johannesburg, South Africa |
Position: | Midfielder |
Youthclubs1: | Heidelberg Happy Hearts |
Youthclubs2: | Springs Home Sweepers |
Youthclubs3: | Pimville Real Rovers |
Youthclubs4: | Mofolo Dynamos |
Youthclubs5: | Moroka Swallows-Mbanya Group |
Clubs1: | Orlando Pirates |
Years2: | 1971–1973 |
Clubs2: | Kaizer Chiefs (player-coach) |
Caps2: | 24 |
Goals2: | 10 |
Manageryears1: | 1973–? |
Managerclubs1: | Gaborone United |
Manageryears2: | 1973–? |
Managerclubs2: | Botswana |
Thomas Johnson (1942 – 23 February 2011) was a South African soccer 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.
A midfielder, he played for Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.[1]
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. Whilst head coach of Kaizer Chiefs, he won South Africa's national cup competition three times.[2] He was the technical director of Dona's Mates Youth Academy in Orange Farm.[3]
Johnson was married to Dimakatso, had eight children, seven grandchildren and on one great-grandchild.
Johnson died from prostate cancer in February 2011. He was buried in Soweto.[4]