Soweto derby: Orlando Pirates desperate to have Thembinkosi Lorch fit

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer will be desperate to have Thembinkosi Lorch back onto the field for Sunday’s Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs. 

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Kick-off at the FNB Stadium is scheduled for 15:00.

That’s because of the remarkable record the 27-year-old has had in derby matches since he joined the Buccaneers midway through the 2016/17 season.

Thembinkosi Lorch has been in and out of the Orlando Pirates side this season with injury, but The Ghost faithful will be holding thumbs he’ll be able to play some part this weekend in what will be the 100th Soweto derby.

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At this stage it’s unclear whether he will be fit for selection having been sidelined since late February with an ankle injury picked up against SuperSport United.

Thembinkosi Lorch’s record speaks for itself.

He has five goals and three assists in 10 starts against Kaizer Chiefs, making him, stats-wise, the most effective attacking player in either side.

Lorch’s first derby goal came in Orlando Pirates’ 3-1 victory in March 2018.

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He then scored in both the Telkom Knockout clash (3-1) and league (1-1) the following season.

Thembinkosi Lorch has also already scored twice against Amakhosi this campaign: in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-finals (3-0) and the 2-1 league victory in January this year.

As it currently stands ahead of the Soweto derby – as well as Friday and Saturday’s other DStv Premiership matches – Orlando Pirates are in third place in the standings with 35 points after 20 matches.

Kaizer Chiefs, meanwhile, are down in 11th place with 20 points from 18 matches.

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