Soweto derby symphony: Cavin ignoring Pirates past, while goal-scoring history awaits Lorch

Examining the statistics, it's undeniable that Cavin Johnson has had no success against Orlando Pirates throughout his career as a head coach. 

READ | A country divided: Soweto derby 'one of Africa's biggest games' where form counts for nothing

In the intricate dance between Johnson and the Buccaneers, the experienced coach has led various teams, from Ajax Cape Town to Platinum Stars (in two spells), SuperSport United, AmaZulu, and Black Leopards.

Yet, the numbers tell a tale of struggle, with only three victories adorning his record out of 18 encounters. In this tumultuous symphony of football clashes, Johnson has navigated through eight draws and succumbed to seven defeats, a narrative that echoes the pain inflicted by the Sea Robbers over the years.

In a twist of fate, Johnson, now at the helm as the interim head coach for Kaizer Chiefs, will step into a sold-out FNB Stadium on Saturday for the 178th Soweto derby.

Coincidentally, this significant clash aligns with his 65th birthday, adding an extra layer of intrigue. The icing on the cake for Johnson would be to secure a fourth victory, aiming to alter the narrative of his challenging statistics against Pirates.

"That we are playing at FNB Stadium, we should have the tag of being the favourites. It’s Chiefs’ home game and there’s no better place to play it than the Calabash [the FNB Stadium]," said Johnson.

"Automatically we are favourites. It’d be a different thing if we were playing Pirates at Orlando Stadium. It’s about us going out there and maintaining the stats, which are five games on the trot."

In a captivating showdown, Johnson will face off against the Spanish strategist Jose Riveiro.

The 47-year-old recently savoured his first taste of success in the Soweto derby