• Kaizer Chiefs’ interim coach Cavin Johnson seeks to improve his track record against Orlando Pirates as he gets a taste of Soweto derby action on Saturday. 
• Thembinkosi Lorch, awaiting sentencing for assault, is expected to play, holding the sixth-best goal-scoring position in Soweto derby history.
• The 178th Soweto derby presents an opportunity for Lorch to climb the goal-scoring ranks, and for Johnson to change the narrative on his 65th birthday.
• For more sports news, go to the News24 Sport front page.

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

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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 during the Nedbank Cup semifinal in May, breaking a streak of two initial losses in the league.

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In the rich tapestry of the Soweto derby since the formation of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) ahead of the 1996/97 season, there have been 22 victories for Chiefs and 21 for Pirates.

However, it’s noteworthy that only eight of these 43 victories have been orchestrated by South African coaches throughout the years.

Among the local tacticians, Eric Tinkler stands out as one of the most successful, guiding Pirates to two victories in the 2015/16 season.

Another notable figure is Arthur Zwane, who achieved the league double over Pirates in the last campaign but, surprisingly, faced the axe at the end of the season. 

Lorch and numbers: Scoring charts and sentencing date

Thembinkosi Lorch has been a regular leading feature in headlines for all the wrong reasons over the past two years, creating a storm that hasn’t exactly painted him in the best light.

However, his rapid comeback to the field for Orlando Pirates has stirred mixed emotions among the South African public, leaving a lingering aftertaste of controversy and public sentiment.

In June of this year, the Orlando Pirates forward faced a guilty verdict for assaulting his then-girlfriend, Fundiswa Mathithibala, back in 2020.

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Currently, Lorch is in the midst of awaiting sentencing from the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.

It has been far from harmonious.

This week, News24 Sport’s senior soccer writer Njabulo Ngidi engaged in a conversation with Sonke Gender Justice. This non-governmental organisation operates across Africa, dedicated to championing gender equality and preventing incidents of domestic and sexual abuse.

As Lorch awaits sentencing,  Pirates has chosen to remain tight-lipped on the matter. The club had previously directed him to pay a monetary fine and undergo anger management therapy, a disciplinary response that has kept the details surrounding the situation closely guarded.

Lorch is now anticipated to feature in Saturday’s highly awaited Soweto derby. At 30 years old, he stands as the sole active player with the highest number of goals in “El Kasico”, with five goals to his name. However, his last goal in the epic clash was netted in January 2021.

If Lorch steps onto the field on Saturday, he could potentially ascend a list that not many players have the privilege to embellish on their football resumes.

Currently, Lorch holds the esteemed position of being the sixth-best goal-scorer in “El Kasico” history.

The luminaries ahead of him include Pirates legend Jerry “Legs of Thunder” Sikhosana, Jomo “Black Prince” Sono, Nelson “Teenage” Dladla, Marks “Go Man Go” Maponyane, and Patrick Pule “Ace” Ntsoelengoe.

On this historic chart, former Chiefs striker Leonardo Castro also claims a spot just ahead of Lesley Manyathela in ninth place with four goals. 

For Lorch, the chance to etch his name in the annals of the Soweto derby’s goal-scoring history awaits.

A single goal would elevate him to the esteemed level of Jerry Sikhosana, each with a tally of six in this iconic clash.