Thembinkosi Lorch: Mamelodi Sundowns Winger Explains Why Coach Rulani Mokwena Was Hard on Him

• Thembinkosi Lorch secured Mamelodi Sundowns' Nedbank Cup quarter-final spot
• The ex-Orlando Pirates star netted twice against First Division side Maritzburg United
• The 30-year-old said coach Rulani Mokwena pushed him to improve his scoring record

Mamelodi Sundowns booked their spot in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Maritzburg United on Sunday, March 17.

New signing Thembinkosi Lorch emerged as the hero with a second-half brace, bringing his goal tally for Sundowns to three in eight appearances.

In a post-match interview, the 30-year-old expressed gratitude for the guidance and patience of coach Rulani Mokwena. He disclosed the manager had pushed him to improve his scoring record.

“I want to thank the man above for the challenge that he gave me, and I promise to honour it. The coach was hard on me during the week for not scoring the goals, I’m getting the balls, but I’m not shooting enough, and he was hard on me. I’m happy today, I managed to score two goals,” he said, as reported by iDiski Times.

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Lorch, who arrived from Orlando Pirates in January, also admitted that his transition has not been without challenges.

Drab game as Sundowns beat Maritzburg

The game's opening half at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium offered little excitement, with a lengthy weather delay overshadowing any actual football.

The Brazilians rotated their squad, resting key attacking players against a side currently 10th in the NFD, as reported by Times Live. Surprisingly, the underdogs threatened more in the first 45 minutes, registering two shots on target, with goalkeepers at both ends enjoying relatively quiet spells.

The second half continued in a scrappy fashion, with both teams cancelling each other out in terms of work rate and physicality. However, energy from the Team of Choice energy dimmed around the 70th minute, allowing the PSL leaders to take control. The dominance paid off when Lorch broke the deadlock in the 74th minute, before securing the win deep into injury time after capitalizing on a miss from teammate Kutlwano Letlhaku.

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Mokwena says Lorch has settled

Sports Brief reported that Mokwena shared insights on Lorch's integration into the club's core group.

He was one of the four players signed alongside Zuko Mdunyelwa, Matias Esquivel, and Tashreeq Matthews.

The player's Masandawana journey commenced with a notable debut against his former club.