Thembinkosi Lorch: Orlando Pirates Coach Jose Riveiro Remains Upbeat Despite Midfielder’s Departure

• Jose Riveiro is not worried about midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch's departure
• The 30-year-old left Orlando Pirates for Mamelodi Sundowns in January
• The winger had 34 goals and 30 assists in 176 games for the Buccaneers

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has exuded confidence in his squad despite the departure of Thembinkosi Lorch to Mamelodi Sundowns during the January transfer window.

The Buccaneers faced the table-topping Brazilians in their first match without Lorch on Saturday, February 17, and secured a commendable 1-1 draw, even after being reduced to 10 men.

When queried about the impact of the midfielder’s exit, Riveiro stressed his focus on developing the players' talents currently at his disposal.

“We have an exceptional side, full of talent, and we have limited time to spend every day with them, to try to improve them, to try to help them to have a good career, to get the dreams they want to get. So I have enough with the players that I have in my squad right now,” said Riveiro, as quoted on iDiski Times.

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Lorch debuted for Sundown in the same match, playing for 62 minutes before being substituted for Sipho Mbule.

The winger enjoyed a successful tenure of eight years at Orlando Pirates, amassing 176 appearances, 34 goals, and 30 assists.

Sundowns' head coach, Rulani Mokwena, offered insights into the player’s debut against his former club, acknowledging the challenges he might have encountered.

Mokwena highlighted the pressure associated with facing one's former team and underscored the importance of patience as new signings acclimate to the league's intensity and adapt to Sundowns' style of play.

"We can all do better, starting with the coach, and of course, even with the new signings, we can do better Also, with Lorch, the pressure, the talks, his former club and all the other things also did not help him," Mokswena said as quoted by Far Post.

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Orlando Pirates will be facing the SAFA representative of Mpumalanga in the upcoming Nedbank Cup fixture scheduled for Saturday, February 24.

The departure of key players inevitably poses challenges for any team, and the Sea Robbers are no exception.

Thembinkosi Lorch's sessage to Mamelodi Sundowns

Sport Brief previously reported when Thembinkosi Lorch penned a message to Masandawana supporters after moving from Orlando Pirates.

Lorch was one of the four players signed by Sundowns in the January transfer window.

Zuko Mdunyelwa, Matias Esquivel, and Tashreeq Matthews are other players who joined the league leaders.