Can Lorch reach full impact?
Thembinkosi Lorch has only shown his brilliance at Orlando Pirates in dribs and drabs, mostly due to his injury troubles, but going into this game, will take heart from the fact that he has scored against Kaizer Chiefs previously. He is the kind of player with incredible skill and the ability to beat his man in one-on-one situations, something that Amakhosi will need to be wary of. His game intelligence often sees him in good positions to hurt the opposition in the final third and he is a good finisher, as he showed with his superb goal in the 3-1 win over SuperSport United, after being set up by Xola Mlambo. Although Bucs have a couple of talented players, it could be Lorch who gives Chiefs all sorts of problems! Below is the statistical overview of his game and his likely impact...
• Likely to play as an inside forward in a 3-4-2-1 formation, either with Augustine Mulenga (Justin Shonga 9) or with Linda Mntambo/Thabo Qalinge/Luvuyo Memela (if fit) with Mulenga as number nine.
• Chiefs likely to have to get Willard Katsande to pick up Lorch (which could open space for others), or ask their fullbacks to track him inside (which could open space for Pirates’ wingbacks)
• Chiefs could perhaps start Philani Zulu as narrow left midfielder to cover their left half-space and block Lorch’s space.
Key strengths
• Very creative - 13 shot assists in just 380 minutes played (one every 29.2 minutes) in the PSL this season (which is more than Khama Billiat, who has 20 shots in 887 minutes, one every 44.3 minutes) Two goals and 3 assists in just 380 minutes - goal contribution every 76 minutes. • 19.7 passes in the final third per 90 minutes on the pitch (2nd most in PSL) – Lorch is excellent at keeping the ball in tight spaces around the edge of the box.
Weak areas
• Rarely able to produce for a full game. Due to injuries and lack of consistency, he only tends to do well for 70 minutes or as an impact substitute. Bucs’ reliance on him for creativity and Pule with Memela missing in action. • Looks for Mulenga for killer passes so can track these runs. Only one shot assist for Shonga, though they have not played much together. However, he also had only two shot assists for Shonga last season.
Teammates
• Has created 13 shots for teammates this season in PSL. Only six players have created more (see table)