How Thembinkosi Lorch Can Improve: Ex Kaizer Chiefs Star's Advice For Mamelodi Sundowns Midfielder

• Thembinkosi Lorch has not met up to expectations in his first season at Mamelodi Sundowns
• The midfielder has been criticised due to a congested fixture schedule and for failing to adapt
• An ex-Kaizer Chiefs player believes Lorch needs to 'become more coachable' if he is to succeed

Thembinkosi Lorch has faced scrutiny for his lacklustre efforts since joining Mamelodi Sundowns from Orlando Pirates in January.

His performances have not lit up the stadiums as fans had expected, and some have even questioned his contribution to the team.

Former Kaizer Chiefs star, Junior Khanye, believes Lorch needs to embrace Sundowns' style of play and become more 'coachable'.

The former winger acknowledged the midfielder's individual brilliance but suggested Lorch needed to learn from experienced teammates like Sipho Mbule, who have adapted their game to fit the Masandawana system.

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Despite the scrutiny, Lorch has contributed four goals and one assist in his advanced playmaker role but Khanya believes he still needs to maximise his potential.

"Lorch needs to learn that. He has a bit of arrogance, and not to say he is a bad person, but that thing to say I've achieved things before. Take nothing away from him because he has won things individually, but at Sundowns, you can't play if you are not coachable," Khanye said, as quoted by iDiski Times.

Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena, previously addressed criticism surrounding Lorch's playing time, dismissing suggestions their personal relationship was a factor.

Instead, he stressed the importance of building strong connections with his players, drawing inspiration from the approach employed by Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp.

Mokwena believes the player is being unfairly judged due to the congested fixture schedule and pointed out that even experienced players required time to integrate into a team.

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Per Goal, Lorch was the 2019 PSL Footballer of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season, with his coach hoping he can help them lift their second CAF Champions League trophy.

Lorch explains why Mokwena was hard on him

Sports Brief previously reported that Lorch thanked Sundowns coach, Mokwena, for his guidance in helping him improve his scoring record.

He has been a regular starter from on the bench for the Brazilians, a strategy the manager was quick to explain once questioned by the media.

Mokwena said that approach was part of assimilating new signings, including Lorch, Zuko Mdunyelwa, and Tashreeq Matthews, into the squad.