It’s crazy to think that it’s almost five years since Thembinkosi Lorch won the PSL Footballer of the Season award. That 2018/19 was a magical campaign for the playmaker as he netted 15 goals in all competitions and drew interest from clubs like Dijon, Club Brugge and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. No move materialised and the player’s career never reached anywhere near the same heights again. Whilst he remained key player for Orlando Pirates whenever he wasn’t injured or dealing with off-field problems, it felt like his career was drifting to a disappointing close. Instead, his former mentor Rulani Mokwena stepped in to buy him for a large chunk of cash in January. Despite all the competition at Mamelodi Sundowns, he is already making his mark. Whilst he may be 30 years old, are we about to see something of an “Indian summer” for the player affectionately known as “Nyoso”? Can he be the one to fire Downs to the Holy Grail of another CAF Champions League crown? Soccer Laduma takes a fixed gaze.
Can Sundowns keep him fit?
Whatever you say about Thembinkosi Lorch, he usually performs to a high level when he is fully fit and motivated. It’s rare to see him carrying significant extra weight, and whilst a lot of that is down to body type, it does bode well for his prospects of delivering deep into his 30s.
