Lorch could be Bucs’ trump card
COACH: THAT’S WHY HE’S FOOTBALLER OF THE SEASON
Tshepo Ntsoelengoe
If things are to improve at Orlando Pirates, coach Rulani Mokwena will have to bank on his key players like Thembinkosi Lorch to get back to their best and inspire the club to success this season.
Lorch wasn’t only the best player at Pirates last season, with the winger going on to be named the Absa Premiership’s Footballer of the Season following some top-quality individual performance. He provided plenty of goals and assists for Pirates, but only for the club to once again fail to lift any silverware despite some incredible performances which saw Pirates finish the season in second place.
Mokwena believes Lorch will once again get back to the top of his game after seeing glimpses of last season’s performance from Lorch in their previous game against Stellenbosch FC in the Telkom Knockout – with Lorch scoring the all-important goal to see Bucs through to the next round of the competition after winning 1-0 at Orlando Stadium last Saturday.
Pirates face the Cape Town side once more this weekend, this time in a Premiership clash at the Cape Town Stadium this afternoon. The Pirates coach will definitely be hoping the winger is on top of his game in order to help Bucs improve their league position.
“Lorch was unbelievable, like every other game, he will come right. I know a lot of people are losing faith and patience in him, but he will come right. He is the reigning Footballer of the Season, there is a reason why Lorch has that award – he has the talent,” said Mokwena.
“Today (Last Saturday) he showed why he is the reigning Footballer of the Season. He can still get better though. He knows that but is very honest and wants to always improve and better his performances so he can contribute to the team.”
Pirates are in eighth place in the standings after seven games after having registered two wins, three draws, and two defeats. Meanwhile, Stellies are 14th, having played eight games with one win, four draws and three defeats.