Lorch’s quality key for Pirates – Zinnbauer

Thembinkosi Lorch of Orlando Pirates

Saturday Aug 22, 2020. 13:00

Orlando Pirates will look to the “quality” of attacking midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch to boost their stuttering form in the Absa Premiership, according to manager Josef Zinnbauer.

Lorch was initially suspended from the Buccaneers’ return to football earlier this month, reportedly due to breaking coronavirus protocols, but he is available to the team again.

Lorch featured as a substitute in Pirates’ 1-1 draw with Baroka FC earlier this week and Zinnbauer is hoping the player can boost a side which has played to four straight draws and looks in danger of finishing outside the top three.

“Lorch coming in the game [against Baroka] … you could see his quality,” said Zinnbauer as per Sowetan Live.

“It is important for us [to have Lorch back] but the fitness level is a question mark and we decided before that he will sit on the bench and then bring him in [later].

“But we know he is good. He is a top player not in our team but the whole league. We have him and we will use the quality in the next games, that’s for sure.”

The German tactician added, “We have to fight for three points and when you don’t get that three points and get one, at the end of the day for me that’s not enough.”

Lorch will likely feature from the start when Pirates continue their league campaign with a match against Cape Town City at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday 23 August.