With Orlando Pirates said to have been criticised for potentially damaging their prospect of challenging Mamelodi Sundowns by selling Thembinkosi Lorch to them, KickOff readers shared their thoughts on the matter.
What's the story?
Lorch made the move to the Brazilians during the January transfer window and some supporters of the Buccaneers have argued that selling one their top players to Masandwana has hindered Pirates' chances of competing of competing with the reigning African Football League champions.
KO readers, however, seem to think otherwise. Check out what they said:
"It's not like they were going to catch Sundowns," says mamelodi sundowns real supporters.
"But if the player doesn't want to play for them anymore what must they do? Because it seems like he's been faking injuries (my opinion)," says Samuel Mph Kunene to which Thabang Presley Makgapheetje replied: "faking injuries how while the team has a team doctor that checks every player and gives his/her assessment back to the technical team?"
"Keeping an unhappy player is more damaging than letting him go," says Petros Zitha.
"You can't criticize Pirates over a player that wanted to leave. It was either they get a little cash out of him or nothing, choose one," says Ditshwane Matlala.
"Good decision he left Pirates. Every season they're building; a song of every season. I love my team but haii let's keep celebrating three cups in two seasons and leave league and CAF [Champions League] alone," says Monna Khang.
"A lot has been said about lorch himself also in the recent seasons & how much he actually contributed to Pirates. One publication said Pirates fans have actually been 'holding on to memories' of what he used to do for them. At 31 can he 'revive his career' at Sundowns?" asks Ntando Majola.
"After watching AFCON I won't be blaming PSL clubs. If Bafana had Sundowns' current on form forwards, we would be talking a different story. Currently Sundowns have only their records to compete with," says Ntambo Ntambo.
"He was the stumbling block. Check wins with [Lorch] and wins without. Good riddance," says Dennies Ncube.
"Sundowns has become Bayern of South Africa. Where every good player chooses Sundowns instead of going abroad. Then Superport is acting like Leizpig where they produce young stars for bigger clubs. Pirates is like Dortmund; they have no ambition of challenging the reigning club. Chiefs is like Arsenal you keep hoping they are getting better by bringing good players but later on those players become average," says Nabobonke Ngubane.
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Meanwhile, Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi became the target for abuse on social media after the side's 2023 Africa Cup of Nations heartbreak. His teammate and captain, along with others, jumped to his defence calling for an end to the "unjust" targeting of a single player after the team's defeat.
Here's what the KO readers said:
"I have been saying since his days at Arsenal, that Iwobi guy is just a normal player, nothing special about him and we all know he is selected because of his uncle Jay-Jay [Okocha]," says New Era La-masia.
"That's how fans react after a loss. Players should understand that by now because for fans its all about a win," says Malbie Fani.
"He is not a striker don't put more blame on him," says Maledza Fumani.
"You can't love fire because it cooks your food, but hate it because it burns your fingertips. Fans have got the right to praise and blame," says Rofhatutshedzwa Arnoldinho Mash.
"Why Nigerians thinks their team is superior?" asks Sbusiso Nsele.
"Blame should go to the Portuguese man who cannot get natural central midfielder from over 200 million Nigerians," says Eze Chijioke.
"These ones needs to avoid checking Social media platforms especially Twitter and Facebook because they can't keep their mouths shut," says Mdu Kondile.
"Such a wonderful player," says Diezel Modise.
"I’m glad the Elephants saved the continent from noise pollution," says Horoose Ronald Nyandoro Kanguti.
"Bitter losers! Had they won we wouldn't hear the end of it," says Anathi Anathi.
Disclaimer: SNL24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on SNL24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of SNL24.
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