Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi has explained why they subbed Thembinkosi Lorch 20 minutes before the final whistle against Marumo Gallants.
The Buccaneers star has only featured five times this season and made two assists in their 2-1 win over Bahlabana Ba Ntwa.
The 52-year-old tactician has now explained that they follow a medical advice, and felt like Lorch still needs time to settle and recover 100% before playing full 90 minutes.
Ncikazi stated that it is the club’s culture to rest players after long-term injuries.
“We have to be very realistic, Lorch is only coming back, he hasn’t played since that game,” Ncikazi explained after the match.
“First time we gave him 10 to 15 minutes, the second match, we gave him 60 minutes, today, we played him more than 70 minutes.
“We have to be gradual in the process, no matter how much we want him to be in the field of play, we must be very sensible in our thought processes. I know from an outside eye, it looks like you can play everybody and play them the way you want, but it’s not like that.
“We have to be progressive in our approach coming from a long lay of that he is coming from. I wanted him to be in the field, but based on the medical advice and what how long it’s been out, we had to be sensible.
“Happy has exposed to the same situation he is coming from an injury because Ndah out. But we had to play him the full match. Maela hasn’t played fully match.
“That’s the schizophrenic nature of our team when players are coming from injuries, but the league has to proceed a way to make decisions. But I’m happy that with everything that happened, we could still scramble through with the result.”
