Please forgive Lorch!

The outpouring of disappointment, sadness, cursing and regret that we’ve seen on social media since the news broke that Thembinkosi Lorch had ditched Orlando Pirates for Mamelodi Sundowns clearly shows that people are hurting and it is really unfortunate to see. However, this is not the first and certainly not the last time the supporters’ hearts are broken by the departure of their superstar to join a rival club. So, the sooner people get used to the fact that Lorch is a Sundowns player and get over it, the better.

Bucs supporters have every right to feel hard done by to see their poster boy and most popular player leave. Lorch is not just any other player to Pirates supporters, he has been their most consistent in recent years, barring injuries. He has been that player for the team in recent seasons. He represented the Soweto giants with pride and dignity. He has served the club with everything he had and was one player Pirates supporters identified with the most. He made things happen for the team and was someone the supporters always looked forward to seeing on matchday. Losing him is an understandable pain because they didn’t see the move coming. If it were for an overseas team, none of the Buccaneers would have any issues because that’s the expected progression they had in mind for their favourite footballer.

Losing him to the Brazilians is a bitter pill to swallow, understandably so. No one wants to see their favourite player jump ship to join a rival, but the supporters need to understand that these things happen in football. The good thing is how this move was handled because it has been more than two seasons since the Tshwane giants were reportedly whispering into Nyoso’s ear about their interest in his services. Pirates were simply not willing to release him then or the bargaining power was with them, seeing the player was still contracted to the club. They didn’t want to lose him then and must surely have a reason to have agreed to finally let him go, this time around. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, with no new deal on the table, it was surely an opportune time for Bucs to finally accede to Downs’ advances. It is not a case of Lorch jumping ship more than it is about the two teams having agreed to the transaction, otherwise the move wouldn’t have happened… at least until the end of the season. Let Lorch not be victimised and seen as someone who betrayed the Ghost. It is a business transaction that needed to take place and a lot of maturity from all parties concerned is needed in order to understand and accept this move for what it is. Yes, it is not easy for any Bucs supporter to see Lorch leave because he’s been synonymous with club, but nothing is going to change, unfortunately.

We’ve seen this movie before. Godfrey Sapula, the late Gift Leremi, Lebohang Mokoena, Teko Modise, Bennedict Vilakazi, Oupa Manyisa and Andile Jali, just to mention seven, have gone the same route, although Tso and AJ joined Downs via overseas teams. Jimmy Tau left Bucs for archrivals Kaizer Chiefs. These moves affected the supporters, while some were more painful than others, but football and life had to move on. Admittedly, football is an emotional sport because there is a lot of passion and attachment involved in this Beautiful Game. Having said that, beyond emotions there is a business side of things that needs to be taken care of, where the law of supply and demand prevails. When players leave, especially on good terms, it is important for the supporters to make peace with it and move on. Yes, it is easier said than done because of the emotional attachment, but Bucs supporters, please release Lorch! Granted, it is not going to be easy to accept it, but just try to forget about him and move on. Don’t make him an enemy or a bad person just because he’s upset you by leaving. Let there be no bad blood between him and his former supporters because of this move. It is a business transaction that was agreed to by all parties involved. It is an emotional reaction for the supporters to be sad and angry, and that is understandable. Yes, be sad and hurt, but please forgive Lorch for the impact his departure is going to have on your blood pressure. Get over it and understand that he has a future and a family to take care of. Age is no longer on his side and if there is a better offer somewhere else, he finds himself at a stage where he has to make the most of what’s left of his career. It is only fair that he considered Sundowns’ offer and the fact that all parties agreed means everyone understood and accepted the situation. It is not about him turning his back on his club but rather looking out for himself and his family.

At some point, in our lives, we have to make unpopular decisions not to betray anyone but to do what is right for us. Players also have a right to do the same. When you are in a position to leave your current employer because someone had headhunted you with a better offer, you put loyalty and emotions aside and face the reality. It is understandable that the supporters, through passion, loyalty, sacrifices and support for the club, get a sense of ownership because they grow attached to footballers. That is why it is only fair that they are allowed to express their feelings, but it has to come to a point where they accept the situation and move on. Don’t make the player who has left your team feel like a victim of abuse. Don’t subject him to boos whenever he touches the ball against his former team. Don’t attack him on social media and see him as a traitor because that is not right at all. These things should not be happening because, as mentioned earlier, there is more to just playing football as there is a business side to it. We have to be sober-minded to appreciate and accept that. If you are emotion-driven, you are not going to be rationale and therefore won’t see the bigger picture and the reality.

MaBhakaniya, please release Lorch and allow him to enjoy the remainder of his career at his new club. Allow him to enjoy the next chapter in his career and cherish the memories you’ve shared with him. Accept that it is a done deal, he has moved on, and focus on supporting your current players. Forget about Lorch, he has played his part and gave your club everything he had and it is now time for him to focus on his new club and teammates. Don’t hold any grudges against him, don’t curse or wish him bad. Just release him and find peace in knowing that he gave you everything he had while he was still in your camp. When you release him and accept that he had a big decision to make, which was surely not easy for him, you will find peace and acceptance. All the best to Nyoso at Sundowns. Let us allow him to focus on his new journey and not make the situation spiral out of hand. He meant no harm by joining Sundowns, as he simply did what he felt he needed to do. Once again, MaBhakaniya, please forgive Lorch and release him as the spiritual owners of the club. It is easier said than done, but you can do it.

And oh… congratulations to coach Hugo Broos, his technical team and players for a job well done in reaching the quarterfinals of the 2023 Cote d’Ivoire Afcon, against all odds. All the best against Cape Verde this Saturday. One game at a time!