Lorch and Lepasa back set to return in time for Soweto derby?
Pirates play Kaizer Chiefs in the derby on 6 November.
Orlando Pirates forward Thembinkosi Lorch has been included in Bafana Bafana’s preliminary squad for next month’s Afcon qualifiers. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Orlando Pirates stars Thembinkosi Lorch and Zakhele Lepasa could be back in the team for the much anticipated Soweto derby.
ALSO READ: Pirates consider swap move for Nodada
Pirates play Kaizer Chiefs in the derby on November 6.
“They have not really targeted the game as their return but it could be because they are close to being fully fit. They have been training with the senior team sparingly over the past few weeks and should be fully involved by the time the derby plays,” said a source.
Lorch has been out with a shoulder injury which he reportedly sustained in a domestic incident, while Lepasa has been out for over a year now after he broke his leg. They are both said to be well on the road to recovery.
Meanwhile, Pirates will not be getting a head coach anytime soon with Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids set to continue as caretaker co-coaches for as long as possible.
A source said the club has been inundated with CV’s of coaches who wants to be given a chance at one of the most difficult jobs in the country. But club boss Irvin Khoza remains uninterested and has pledged his faith in the current duo.
“The CV’s are coming in almost every day but they are not being entertained for now. There is no need to rush the decision because Ncikazi and Fadlu deserve to be given a chance to show what they can achieve.
“The team has taken a new direction since Ncikazi came and you can see they want to change the way they play and be a more possession-based side. That sits well with top management and they want to see how far he can get with changing things around,” said the source.
