Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer gives update on Thembinkosi Lorch

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer is uncertain if star man Thembinkosi Lorch will play any part in the club’s CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final second leg tie against Raja Casablanca on Sunday, 23 May.

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Orlando Pirates were held to a 1-1 draw at the Orlando Stadium last Saturday with Vincent Pule on target for the Buccaneers late in the first half.

Unfortunately for the home side, they conceded an all-important away goal when Ben Malango found the back of the net on the hour mark.

Lorch came off the bench to replace Fortune Makaringe after 77 minutes following a long injury lay-off.

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Looking ahead to second leg, Zinnbauer said according to Kickoff: “Lorch, we are happy he is back. We know he was long, long time out and we have to see what happened after the game.

“What’s happened, what is the pain and what is his feeling, and we prepare him for the next game.

“But I cannot say now if he is in the starting line-up or he is on the bench but what is important for us first is he is available and that is good for us.”

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Orlando Pirates were without seven of their first team regulars including captain Happy Jele and goalkeeper Richard Ofori in the first leg.

But Zinnbauer hinted that these, and other players, could return to the Orlando Pirates starting XI in Casablanca this weekend.

“I know  (Richard) Ofori we have to test; I know he was on the bench. We have to test this week and see how he can work. We have a long week, it’s the first time for a long time ago and (Thembinkosi) Lorch also, and the other players also Happy (Jele), we also have (Terrence) Dzvukamanja there is a long, long list of players out but maybe we have a chance that they can come back next week,” Zinnbauer told the media.

Orlando Pirates will have their work cut out for them at the Stade Mohammed V Stadium in Morocco on Sunday which has become something of a fortress for the tournament favourites.

Kick-off is at 18:00 SA time.

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