Johnson Set For Extended Layoff At AmaZulu
AmaZulu goalkeeper Darren Johnson is still facing an extended spell on the sidelines and will be out for another two to three months, according to Usuthu assistant coach Siboniso Vilakazi.
Vilakazi was responding to questions about whether Johnson would be part of the Usuthu side facing Stellenbosch in their 2026/27 Betway Premiership opening fixture at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday.
Johnson did not feature in either of AmaZulu’s two matches during the KZN Premier’s Cup—a pre-season tournament backed by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation—which Usuthu won by beating Milford FC at Princess Magogo Stadium on Sunday.
The former Chippa United and Cape Town Spurs shot-stopper, who joined the club at the start of last season, missed the final five matches of the previous campaign.
It was a significant blow for both Usuthu and the player, who had been pushing for inclusion in the Bafana Bafana squad.
Johnson sustained the injury during a Nedbank Cup quarter-final defeat to Casric Stars at Moses Mabhida Stadium in March, colliding with Mfundo Thikazi shortly after the latter had scored in an unfortunate incident.
While head coach Arthur Zwane initially predicted in April that Johnson would be sidelined for six months, Vilakazi provided an updated recovery timeline.
“Not at all, he is still in rehab,” said Vilakazi. “We are still working with him. He will probably be ready in two to three months.”
Johnson made 20 appearances across all competitions and recorded six clean sheets last season. Following his injury, Olwethu Mzimela and Richard Ofori shared goalkeeping duties for the remainder of the campaign.
With Ofori having parted ways with the club at the end of the season, Mzimela is set to start in goal for the opening stretch of the new campaign.
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch FC have moved their opening home fixture from the Cape Winelands to Durban due to venue unavailability in Cape Town. Danie Craven Stadium was closed last season due to poor pitch conditions—a situation bound to incense Stellies coach Gavin Hunt.
As a result, fourth-place finishers AmaZulu will avoid a trip to Cape Town and remain in Durban for the fixture.
“When you win pre-season games leading into the season opener, you want to set the benchmark by saying, ‘This is what we are going to do this season,'” Vilakazi concluded.
