FACING media for the very time since joining Mamelodi Sundowns, Thembisile Lorch says he’s ‘fit and unfortunately, at some stage one has to face former teammates Orlando Pirates.’
He addressed reporters yesterday ahead of the clash on Saturday evening, at Loftus Stadium, for the Premier League encounter.
“It’s difficult to play my first game, especially against my former team, but you know in life, you need to move on,” says the ‘glowing’ Lorch, accompanied by his new mentor Rhulani Mokwena.
On his new beginnings he lamented: “I’m hoping that I will start and do my best for my team. They welcomed me well. The spirit in the team is good, every player wants to play over the weekend because we are playing against Pirates, a big team; it’s a big game. But coach Mokwena will decide who plays.”
Known as “Nyoso” to his teammates, he did not hint on new jersey number he will wear, but said it’s all good.
Meanwhile, Mokwena is having sleepless nights on players with injuries upon return from AFCON.
He indicated yesterday that Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala, Thapelo Maseko and Themba Zwane, are having some knocks and their return to domestic action will be delayed.
Williams has shoulder pain, Maseko hamstring strain, Mudau [ankle] and Mokoena a knock that prevented him from training yesterday.
Only Grant Kekana and Terrence Mashego trained yesterday for the first time, with the other players spending the morning in the medical room.
“We have a couple of concerns. We got a few players that returned with injuries,” Mokwena explained to the media. “And that might delay their return because now we have to deal with that. They played 30 games in five months for Sundowns.
“And you put maybe an extra four or five games for the World Cup qualifiers and the friendlies that Bafana played during the Fifa break. So, we are talking about 35 or 36 games in five months; plus the seven [at Afcon], you go to 42 games.
“They have to start now with the rehabilitation phase, but also the regeneration phase because they have to flush out the stress and the pressure of a tournament of that magnitude.”
“We know how difficult the game is going to be. It’s always difficult after such a long period for us,” he said.
“But, we got a very good squad. We have a lot of good players in every position,” says Mokwena.
The game kicks-off at 8pm.
Image (Hard at work. Thembinkosi “Nyoso” Lorch likely to face former club Bucs on Saturday, for Premier League clash against Downs’).
