Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has given an update on Thembinkosi Lorch’s fitness after he came off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Raja Casablanca on Sunday.
The Bucs winger was sidelined with a tear in his abductor since the beginning of March but seems to be close to full fitness, making a 13-minute appearance in the first leg of their CAF Confederations Cup quarter-final against the Moroccan giants.
Zinnbauer stated he was happy to see Lorch back in the squad but could not say whether he will be fit enough to start the second-leg in Morocco on Sunday.
“Lorch, we are happy he is back,” the German said in his post-match press conference.
“We know he was a long, long time out and we are yet to see what happens after the game.
“Tomorrow, what happened, what is the pain, what is his feeling for the next game.
“But I cannot say now whether he will be in the starting line-up or on the bench.
“Important for us is that he is available and that’s good for us.”
The Pirates coach also admitted that Raja’s away goal gives them a clear advantage ahead of the second leg but insisted his team can hurt them as well.
“For us it would’ve been better to win the home game, it’s clear if don’t concede,” Zinnbauer added.
“It’s also clear that it is an advantage for the opponent that they have scored today.
“Be we have also the possibility of scoring there and if we score there, it won’t be easy for them. They have to score more.
“I don’t think Casablanca was better than us today. I think it was good levels, it was a tough game.
“For me, my team worked very well and Casablanca also. Both teams wanted to go forward and score.
“For me, two top teams and a special, special day on Sunday.”
The Buccaneers will face Casablanca in the second leg at the Stage Mohamed V on Sunday, 25 May at 18:00, SA time.
