Orlando Pirates legend names player to replace Lorch

It’s been accepted by many. Thembinkosi Lorch has left Orlando Pirates to join Mamelodi Sundowns.

Any replacements?

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MAMELODI SUNDOWNS SIGN THEMBINKOSI LORCH FROM ORLANDO PIRATES

To prepare for the CAF Champions League deep stages, Sundowns have made a headline signing.

Pirates confirmed Lorch’s departure to Sundowns last Friday. “Thembinkosi Lorch is to leave Orlando Pirates Football Club after a discussion between the Chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza and the Mamelodi Sundowns hierarchy,” Pirates stated.

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“The Club thanks “Nyoso” for his immense contribution by adding another page in the history of the Club.

“We wish him and his family well in his future sporting pursuit,” Pirates concluded.

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☠️ 🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨

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⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/7RtvZdfEGR— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) January 26, 2024

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FILLING THE SHOES

In a reaction to Lorch’s departure, former Pirates star Vilakazi has suggested Lesedi Kapinga. According to “Tso,” the Musina-born Kapinga has similar attacking abilities.

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“It’s a big loss for Pirates losing a key player like Lorch. Supporters and a lot of people are looking at the club to have quality players to challenge Sundowns for the league title,” Vilakazi told Sowetan Live. “To lose a player like that to Sundowns is a blow in terms of how you can challenge them for the league. I mean he was a key player. But it didn’t come as a surprise. I played the game for a long time.”

“I can see when a player wants to go. I’ve seen them while I was still playing when they want to go, how they behave, what they do and all of that. They end up leaving the team.

“I would say [Lorch] leaving was overdue. I thought he would go overseas from here, but nevertheless, he went to Sundowns. Hopefully, Pirates will find a replacement for the role Lorch played in the team,” added Vilakazi.

“No one will replace another player in the team. You cannot replace star players. What you can do is to get the player that can play in the position that Lorch was playing and try to improve him.

“I think if they can give Kapinga a chance, he can come in and make a difference. He is more of a smart player who can get into the box than can make runs wide.

“Giving him an opportunity will give him confidence because one thing about players is they cannot become bad players overnight. Just imagine what Kapinga will do when he has match fitness. We will see the best of him,” the Pirates legend concluded.