With Thembinkosi Lorch in contention to debut for Mamelodi Sundowns against Orlando Pirates, social media has been a hub of activity with mixed reactions.
Following Lorch’s surprise move to Sundowns from Pirates in January, there has been excitement from some sections of the supporters as well as disappointment for others who expected the attacker to continue shining in the colours of the Soweto giants.
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Lorch has been an integral part of Downs’ preparations for the season’s resumption and indications are that he could be one of the players in coach Rulani Mokwena’s matchday squad for the clash at Loftus Versveld Stadium on Saturday evening.
“I respect his move although I don’t have the details of what happened but I guess that he needed more game time because of his age. Maybe at Pirates he felt that he wasn’t getting enough game time. I wish him everything of the best and I respect coach Rulani (Mokwena). Going into the match, he (Lorch) should remember that he doesn’t have anything to prove against Pirates,” said former Pirates striker James Mothibi, speaking exclusively to the Siya crew.
The Jacksa Spears coach, who recently roped in former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Kabelo Metsimetsi to train the shot-stoppers at the Northern Cape ABC Motsepe League club, says it will not be unusual for some of the Buccaneers’ supporters to feel jealous when ‘Nyoso’ appears in the colours of the opposition.
“I am not able to say who mustn’t boo who and I do not have control over that. Lorch has been a fan favourite at Pirates and if the supporters feel that booing him to unsettle him is something that will work for the team against Sundowns, I won’t blame them. But I am not condoning the booing of players especially if it’s done in an appropriate manner. My understanding is that in football you can unsettle the opposition in an appropriate way if you feel that will help your team to win the match,” he said.
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“If as a parent you are let down by the son you love, you are going to be disappointed in him. But at the end of the day, Lorch has to grow like any other footballer and that is why he was given the blessings of the Pirates chairman to move on with his career. Lorch isn’t the first and won’t be the last player to move from Pirates to Sundowns. Lebohang Mokoena did it, (Benedict) ‘Tso’ Vilakazi, the late Gift Leremi and Teko Modise are some of the other players to have gone the same route in recent times. So, there is nothing special about Lorch’s move to Sundowns and it is a normal move of a player from one PSL club to the other,” concluded Mothibi.
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