Orlando Pirates legend names three players who can replace Lorch

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Isaac Chansa believes the club has players who can replace Thembinkosi Lorch.

The 30-year-old winger left the Buccaneers in January, to join Mamelodi Sundowns to the displeasure of Bucs fans. Since he arrived at Chloorkop, Lorch has scored three goals in eight matches for Masandawana.

He spent nine years at Pirates, scoring 40 goals in all competitions from his 200 appearances.

Chansa, who had two stints with Orlando Pirates, is adamant that the club can survive without Lorch. The ex-Zambian international has named Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi and Monnapule Saleng as Lorch’s successors.

He believes Saleng was overshadowed by “Nyoso” and only started to regain his form once the star winger departed.

“We all thought Karim [Benzema] was not good enough when Cristiano [Ronaldo] was still playing for Madrid, but the moment he left, Benzema took the responsibility,” Chansa told GOAL.

“So, that’s the similar situation at Orlando Pirates; some players were shadowed by Lorch because he was a star, and everyone looked at him.

“We have Mofokeng, Maswanganyi and Saleng; I think these players can take the team to greater heights. They can fill that space,” he added.

Chansa says Orlando Pirates can move on without Lorch

“He was a quality and special player; we have those kinds of players before. But, we should forget about him because sometimes, as a player, you need, and he also needed that.”

Chansa said Orlando Pirates fans should move on and respect Lorch’s decision to move to Downs.

“It was his time to move on; he had many reasons, I guess. So, okay, let’s move on and try to support those who are left because they are capable of taking the team somewhere,” he said.

Lorch debuted for the Brazilians last month against Orlando Pirates but failed to make an impression. Since then, the ex-Buccaneer attacker has found his feet and looks set to score more goals this season.