Mamelodi Sundiwns head coach Rulani Mokwena has explained why he wanted to add Thembinkosi Lorch to his squad, praising the versatility of the former Orlando Pirates star.
Lorch, 30, was one of four additions Sundowns made in the January tansfer window, the others being Matias Ezquivel, Tashreeq Matthews and Zuko Mdunyelwa.
But Lorch’s deal grabbed the biggest headlines, as he joined Masandawana from a direct rival, with Mokwena explaining he aims to bring the best version of Lorch from 2018/19 when he was named Footballer of the Season back.
“If you remember the season 2018/19, I think Lorch had something like nine assists, and five goals or seven goals from a midfield position, and he could’ve scored a lot more, because in that season crossbars, uprights, sometimes being a bit unlucky in certain situations around the box,” he said on Radio2000.
“But he is that type of player that has huge influence in positions in and around the box, he can play six positions from an offensive perspective – he can play as a 7, as an 11, as a 10, maybe even as an 8 in a more offensive type of structure, he can play as a 9, a nine-and-a-half, a 10. So Lorch is extremely versatile.
“But like I said the responsibility now lies on us, supporting him and like we have to do with all our players, Lukas Ezqivel, Zukho, Tash that have just joined us, all of them, we’ve got a responsibility and try to help them to be better versions of themselves and then they let the talent and quality do the rest of the talking.
“That’s why they’re at Sundowns, because we believe they have the quality to be at Sundowns.”
Mokwena also discussed that it’s his responsibility to look after Lorch, and all his players, not just on the field of play but also off the pitch.
“Lorch, I don’t have to speak for Lorch, I have allow Lorch [to speak on the pitch]… and everybody knows the capacity that Lorch can produce,” he added.
“I know because I worked with Lorch during a season where he was Footballer of the Season, so there is a Nyoso that I know and we can all attest, maybe if that Nyoso was playing at that level, maybe he should be playing at AFCON with the quality that he has.
“But now the challenge and responsibility is can you help him, like every other coach, like every other club is to try and make sure that Nyoso fulfills his full potential and becomes the best version of himself.
“That’s the responsibility I have for Marcelo Allende, the responsibility I have for Lukas Ribeiro, Peter Shalulile, Teboho [Mokoena]… I’ve got that responsibility, Sipho Mbule, Bongani Zungu.
“It’s when you work as a coach, and that is really with the clear understanding before there is a footballer, there is a human being, the most important and the responsibility is that they reach their full potential and not to give up on them but try to become a better version of themselves, better members of the community because that’s our responsibility.
“If you don’t you’ve seen how this country can lose some of it’s best players because of a lot of lack of wanting to help and maybe even wanting to be helped.
“But from a football perspective, there’s nothing about Lorch that other people don’t know.”
Lorch has a chance to make his Sundowns debut when Masandawana host his former club Orlando Pirates at 20:00 on Saturday.
