Orlando Pirates winger Thembinkosi Lorch has revealed what coach Jose Riveiro told him before his return to the pitch that saw him scoring his first goal this season over the weekend.
Lorch, who in the 2018/19 season was unplayable, returned to Pirates fold with a goal, when he replaced Kabelo Dlamini before the second half got underway in their 2-0 win over All Stars in the Nedbank Cup last 32 at Bidvest Wits on Saturday.
The ball fell kindly to Lorch, plundering a superb left-footed strike in the second half for Pirates to bring down the Motsepe Foundation Championship side.
It was Pirates’ second goal to take the game away from Stars, after Monnapule Saleng, who has been their shining light this season in Lorch’s absence, scored the first.
Lorch sustained a knee injury which he picked up against SuperSport United in August and has now thanked everyone who helped him to get back in shape.
“It wasn’t easy for me coming back from the injury, five months out, I think, without playing football,” said Lorch before thanking his family and the club medical team for his recovery.
“I want to thank my family for the support, the technical team. The physio of the team pushed me, it wasn’t easy.”
The 29-year-old, who Pirates will need dearly if they aim to win the Ke Yona Cup for the first time since 2014 season, said scoring on Saturday will be a confidence booster as the Bucs charge towards finishing in the CAF club competition spot.
“Sitting on the bench helped me a lot,” revealed Lorch.
“I was watching the game, analysing the match, and I saw that All Stars were running all over, the coach told me that I must find the spaces, I must find the pockets.
“If you check the first goal, I was in that half-pocket, then I passed the ball to Zuka (Terrence Dzvukamanja) and he crossed to (Monnapule) Saleng.
“So it was important for me to score, especially coming back from injury as that will boost my confidence going forward.”
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Lorch’s return will please the Bucs fans, as it is coming at the right time before they will square off against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium on 25 February.
It is the game that Lorch normally rises to the top, as he has scored five times in this historical match in PSL’s calendar, just one behind legendary Pirates star hero Jerry Sikhosana.
