INTRODUCING RICARDO LOURENCO, GALAXY’S SOUTH AFRICAN STAR
THREE years ago, as captain of Orlando Pirates reserve side, Ricardo Lourenco, was billed as a future Bafana Bafana star.
The 25-year-old central midfielder’s career has nosedived since then.
Promoted to Pirates’ first team in July 2018, Lourenco was released by the Buccaneers at the end of the season without playing a single minute.
He remained a free agent until last October when Jwaneng Galaxy came calling with a two-year contract.
On a mission to resurrect his fading fortunes north of the border, despite being frustrated by the lack of domestic action, the South African was one of Galaxy’s standout players during the club’s short-lived CAF participation.
Although the BPL Champions were outplayed, thrashed 5-1 by Mamelodi Sundowns over two legs and then losing 4-0 to Pirates, Lourenco impressed, showing enough glimpses of skill and awareness to suggest Galaxy have a real talent on their hands.
Indeed, the Johannesburg native’s polished performance is said to have attracted the attention of PSL outfits, Amazulu FC and Supersport United, with both sides reportedly expressing interest in the midfielder.
So, could an immediate return south be on the cards?
“I came here to help the club compete in the league; unfortunately we could not go far in the CAF competitions that we were part of, which was one of my targets. We just have to go the drawing board and see what we can do to win more accolades,” Lourenco told Voice Sport in an exclusive interview this week.
With the BPL not expected to start until August at the earliest, the lack of match action is proving difficult for Galaxy’s left-footed recruit to handle.
“It is disappointing that we do not have any football in the country as we really miss playing. We keep on postponing the start of football and that is really frustrating and affecting the standard of football in Botswana!”
Despite this, Lourenco stressed he felt at home at Galaxy and was desperate to repay their faith in him.
“The style of football between the two countries is almost the same hence I came here to challenge myself. I have settled in well; the people have been so welcoming!”