Thomas Johnson (South African soccer) explained

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.

Playing career

A midfielder, he played for Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.[1]

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. 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]

Personal life

Johnson was married to Dimakatso, had eight children, seven grandchildren and on one great-grandchild.

Death

Johnson died from prostate cancer in February 2011. He was buried in Soweto.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Rest in Peace Thomas 'Zero' Johnson . 27 September 2023 . Kickoff . 23 February 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214325/http://www.kickoff.com/features/20437/rest-in-peace-thomas-zero-johnson.php . 3 March 2016.
  2. Web site: Gleeson. Mark. Gavin Hunt can complete cup double, eight years on. Sowetan Live. 22 September 2012. 22 May 2012.
  3. News: Chiefs legend Johnson dies . 24 February 2011 . Ramatsiyi . Moholoa . Sowetan Live . 10 May 2019 .
  4. Web site: A glimpse of a fallen soccer hero. https://archive.today/20121128225402/http://www.dailynews.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20110228. dead. 28 November 2012. Daily News (Botswana). 28 February 2012.