Thembinkosi Lorch of Orlando Pirates during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns on 15 January 2020 at Orlando Stadium, Pic BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates coach delighted with Lorch’s resurgence
Thembinkosi Lorch is hitting his straps again for Orlando Pirates after a slow start to the season..
Thembinkosi Lorch of Orlando Pirates during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns on 15 January 2020 at Orlando Stadium, Pic BackpagePix
Reigning PSL Player of the Season Thembinkosi Lorch looks to be on the comeback trail, according to Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer.
The 26-year-old had an indifferent start to the season, which coincided with the club failing to build any sort of consistency during the first half of the season.
Resurgent Lorch delights new mentor
He looked a shadow of the player that dominated the league throughout the 2018/19 season, and etched his name in Bafana folklore by providing one of the top moments in the most recent Africa Cup of Nations, where he provided the goal that knocked host nation Egypt out.
Since the start of 2020, he seems to have found a bit of his lost spark, and has made notable contributions to the Buccaneers’ impressive run.
Zinnbauer is delighted to be part of his resurgence.
“I think you know this better than me, but Lorch is a big player in Africa – not just at the moment,” Zinnbauer told reporters.
“And he is on his way back. He is making the right steps in the right direction, a team player now.”
Josef Zinnbauer
All eyes on Orlando Pirates kingpin
Lorch was a potent attacking for Pirates on his return from a loan spell a Chippa United, bagging 15 goals and five assists in 40 matches across competitions.
The midfielder only just got off the mark in the ongoing season when he netted in the 3-1 win over Highlands Park in January, and went on to provide his first assist when the Bucs beat AmaZulu a week later.
His German mentor has also lauded him on his contribution to the club’s defensive effort that has seen them concede only three times on their way to a five-game winning streak.
“Before I wasn’t sure about his defensive work, but he is playing for the team now. That is important for me to see, Lorch is a top player.”
Josef Zinnbauer
All eyes will again be on Lorch when Pirates take on Bidvest Wits in the Nedbank Cup on Saturday. This is after the suspension to top goal-scorer Gabadinho Mhango, who picked up his fourth yellow card against Chippa United over the weekend.
The match kicks off at 15:00 (SAST).
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