Read more
Lorch’s return excites Ncikazi
'Highly excited, we saw the quality with the first pass, an assist to Hotto and the final miss at the end,' says the Buccaneers co-coach.
Sidelined for months with an injury, Thembinkosi Lorch made his return to the pitch in Orlando Pirates’ 1-1 draw with AmaZulu on Wednesday. Picture: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
It has been a long injury layoff for Thembinkosi Lorch, but his return to the Orlando Pirates playing squad has excited co-coach Mandla Ncikazi after the winger made an appearance during the sides 1-1 draw with AmaZulu FC in a DStv Premiership match played at the Jonsson Kings Park Stadium last Wednesday.
READ ALSO: Lorch’s return fails to inspire Pirates to victory against AmaZulu
Pirates had taken a lead just before the half-hour mark through Deon Hotto, but the goal was later canceled out by Tshepang Moremi as the match was about to go into the half-time break.
In need of a winner in the second half, the Buccaneers technical team made a couple of changes, including bringing on Lorch with 10 minutes left of regular time, replacing Collins Makgaka.
Lorch, who has been out of action since last year due to a shoulder injury, made quite an impact for the Soweto giants as he came on, stringing some passes in search for a late goal and he was also unfortunate to see his attempt in the dying minutes of the match go over the bar from close range.
But, with just a short time on the pitch, it was enough to leave a good impression on Ncikazi.
“Highly excited, we saw the quality with the first pass, an assist to Hotto and the final miss at the end. But, the most important thing was him getting in. Lorch is quality, and I am confident (that he will continue to do good) if he plays like this in his first game after such a long time being injured, it’s all positives,” said the Bucs mentor.
“I just wish he grows from here and assists the team on what’s missing the most, which is just goals. We are playing beautiful football, maybe we just needed Lorch to finish the product.”
The 27-year old Lorch might not have helped steer the Bucs ship to maximum points, but his contribution was surely felt and gave Ncikazi hope that the club will now turn the corner in terms of starting to get maximum points.
The draw against Usuthu was the Buccaneers eighth of the season, with the club having recorded four wins and two losses, placing them in seventh place on the league standings.
