‘Lorch is a game-decider’ – Orlando Pirates coach Ncikazi explains

Every Orlando Pirates fan knows Thembinkosi Lorch is a fabulous attacking midfielder but the information feels brand new when a coach highlights it anew.

ORLANDO PIRATES CO-COACH NCIKAZI ON WHY THEMBINKOSI LORCH IS TOP CLASS

The 28-year-old returned to action in December after nearly missing the entire season due to injury and some tensions with management.

Most players often need weeks to recapture their spark after a long-time out, but Orlando Pirates’ Lorch made things happen within minutes of coming on against AmaZulu last December.

Some call it the x-factor, moment of brilliant or game-decider if you’re Mandla Ncikazi.

“Lorch is a top player and when I arrived here, Lorch was injured [so] I am only seeing him now after the injury. You can see that he is developing and getting better with each game, that is why we are giving him more minutes in each match,” Ncikazi told journalists.

“Lorch is a game-decider. Even the training match that we played. Players have so much confidence that the game is played around him. You can see the decisions in the previous match against AmaZulu [he got] two assists and that is Lorch for you. So, we are looking for Lorch for a lot of things to happen around him. He is a top player [there are] a lot of expectations around him.

“The history is behind him. He is one of those special players that every team would love to have and we are expecting a lot from him,” Ncikazi concluded.

ALSO READ: Orlando Pirates’ Lorch names his favourite SA player

FUMING ANDRIES SEBOLA FIRES SHOTS AT NCIKAZI

In other news, Mandla Ncikazi recently rejected calls to play Gabadinho Mhango. The co-coach was quick to say the Malawian does not deserve to play right now.

To say the comments angered the club’s fans is putting it lightly. The Bucs faithful quickly called for the coach to be sacked!

But what does Sebola say?

“Mhango is supposed to play because he’s on fire. You can’t say a scoring striker must wait for his turn. Read the full story here.

ALSO READ: ‘He’s a high school coach’ Ncikazi slammed by Pirates fans