Pirates Lorch

Jose Riveiro doesn’t want to answer Lorch questions. Photos: Backpagepix

Orlando Pirates coach refuses to answer Thembinkosi Lorch query

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has grown irritated with being questioned about the return of Thembinkosi Lorch.

Pirates Lorch

Jose Riveiro doesn’t want to answer Lorch questions. Photos: Backpagepix

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has grown irritated with being questioned about Thembinkosi Lorch.

Orlando Pirates coach bristles at Thembinkosi Lorch query

The official word from Pirates is that Lorch is injured.

However, rumours persist that Lorch doesn’t want to be at Pirates anymore.

The latest PSL Transfer rumours
Thembinkosi Lorch of Orlando Pirates. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

He is rumoured to be attempting to force a move away from Mayfair.

Lorch remains popular with fans and queries about his status are frequent.

After one of those, Riveiro took exception: “I don’t speak about injured players or individual players. From the beginning of the season, it is not my role to talk about players who are not available.

“How can we measure that? Is there any tool to measure how much it affects us if someone is not playing for the team? I cannot answer that question.

“I am so happy with the players who are happy to play. We have more than enough and I will think about the ones who did not play in preparation for the next game because we have to face Cape Town City very soon.

“There is going to be competition to be in the starting 11.”

Catching up

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Riveiro conceded that his team are playing catch up with Sundowns right now after their 2-0 loss to the PSL leaders.

“I would have liked to go to Sundowns with 26, 27 or 30 points instead of 19. This game is not a game that will make a difference at the end of the season. That is why you have to play well against Sundowns then go to Cape Town and take the three points,” said Riveiro.

“Then go to Polokwane and compete and take the three points. We have to play Chippa United at home and take three points. I would like to face these kinds of games when we are closer to Sundowns. The season is still long. This was the 14th game and there are a lot of points to play for. We are Orlando Pirates and we will continue until the end.”