Cavin Johnson has been around the game for quite a while, but few matches may come as close to being as big as the Soweto derby.
The Kaizer Chiefs interim coach registered his first victory midweek against Cape Town Spurs, coming at the perfect time ahead of this weekend's Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates. As Amakhosi prepare to host their rivals at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Soccer Laduma looks at five key questions for Johnson to ponder before naming his starting line-up.
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Khune or Petersen?
It's not the first time this season this question would be asked. And it will probably be asked until the end of the season, due to the struggles in the goalkeeping department for Amakhosi. Johnson has used both Brandon Petersen and Itumeleng Khune in the two matches he has been in charge of and he needs to make a decision in his biggest test yet this weekend. Both goalkeepers are immune to clean sheets at the moment, but Johnson needs to think long and hard on who will get the job done come matchday.
Does Mthethwa return?
Sibongiseni Mthethwa served a one match suspension during the week and is now available to face the Buccaneers, but Johnson could be tempted to stick to his winning team for this one. Mthethwa does provide aggression in the middle of the park, as compared to Yusuf Maart and Edson Castillo. And it's that aggression Amakhosi might need to stop the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch and Patrick Maswanganyi from playing their normal creative game.
Hlanti or Dove?
In his first match in charge of Chiefs, Johnson played Sifiso Hlanti at left back and the former Bidvest Wits man got his name on the scoresheet in the 2-1 defeat to the KZN outfit. Hlanti was on the bench during the week against Spurs and this may have been because he was on three yellow cards and getting another would have ruled him out of the derby. Johnson now has to decide on whether or not to bring Hlanti back in place of Edmilson Dove, who had a fairly decent game against the Urban Warriors in midweek.
Should Saile start?
Christian Saile came on as a substitute against Cape Town Spurs and scored what proved to be the winning goal. This could leave Johnson wondering if the Congolese striker deserves a start, but Saile has not always made an impact when he is in the first 11. Johnson could look at using him as an impact player to unsettle the Pirates defenders in the second half.
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Can Johnson handle the pressure?
No matter how experienced a coach may be, the Soweto derby comes with a different type of pressure and Johnson would need to handle it, especially when it comes from the stands. It's the type of match that needs tactics to be spot on and substitutions have to make an impact or else things can easily fall apart. Johnson has to handle the pressure more than his players have to.
