Lorch out for rest of the year in injury blow to Pirates

After Orlando Pirates won their first game of the season, co-coach Fadlu Davids made a shocking revelation, stating that Thembinkosi Lorch is out with a long term injury.

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Davids made the announcement following Bucs’ 1-0 victory over Swallows FC in a DStv Premiership clash at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

This was the Buccaneers’ first victory of the campaign, having been knocked out of the MTN8 in the quarterfinals by Swallows, and also having played out two draws in the league.

Pirates secured their win thanks to a Tshegofatso Mabasa second half goal, after the striker was introduced as a substitute.

But the news of Lorch’s injury is a major blow for the Buccaneers, as co-coaches Davids and Mandla Ncikazi are trying to assemble a formidable side, having made a number of new signings prior to the start of the season.

“We won’t see him again this year. He is out with a long-term injury. We are in the process of trying to fix the team (it is good) if we can continue to perform this way – more fluidity in our attack, more shots at goal, more domination from start to finish,” said the Bucs coach.

Davids added that they are trying to create a certain style of play for the club, which they will use for the future.

“We are able to do it for a certain period of time, the type of football, the type of dominance we want to have, that is what we’re zooming out of, looking at the bigger picture of where we want to go.”

Meanwhile, Davids and Ncikazi gave new signing Olisa Ndah his debut, while the Ben Motshwari returned from injury.

Bucs now have a full week to focus to their next match, with Chippa United next on their calendar away from home.The Buccaneers have registered four points in three games.