Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has opened up on whether they will miss Thembinkosi Lorch, who joined Mamelodi Sundowns in the January transfer window.
Lorch joined rivals the Brazilians on transfer Deadline Day, in a shock move reminiscent of the likes of the late Gift Leremi, Lebohang Mokoena and Teko Modise switching from the famous black and white to yellow.
The 30-year-old made his debut in the line-up against his former side over the weekend but did not make the anticipated impact and was substituted around the hour-mark, with Sipho Mbule coming on in his place. Lorch also came on as a substitute in Downs' 6-1 thrashing of La Masia too secure a spot in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup.
There has been concerns that Pirates could have strengthened their rivals in the transfer and at the same weakened themselves.
READ | Rulani issues verdict on Lorch and Esquivel debuts
After the encounter between the sides, which ended 1-1, the Buccaneers head coach Jose Riveiro was asked in a post-match press conference if they will miss the former PSL Footballer of the Season.
"We have an exceptional side full of talent and we have limited time everyday to spend with them, to try to improve them, to try to help them have a good career," Riveiro said to the media after a 1-1 draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
"To get the dreams that they want to get, so I have enough with the players I have in my squad right now," he added.
Meanwhile, Lorch admitted, speaking to Sundowns media department after the match, that he did not have a good game against the Soweto giants and that his first game at the Brazilians was not easy, with the jeering from Pirates supporters also playing a part.
"It wasn't an easy game, I'm happy I got the chance to play but I'm not happy with the results we got, I think I didn't have a good game but ja it's my first game," Lorch said via the Sundowns media department in a video posted on their official X account.
READ | 'The atmosphere was too big for Lorch'
"I need to go back and do the corrections and see where it went wrong, we should have won this game.
"It was never going to be easy because obviously I'm playing against my former team, I heard the supporters booing me but I think from today's (Saturday) performance I need to lift up a bit," he said.
"What Ronwen (Williams) said to me gave me motivation and hope that 'You know what the gents are with me and I need to play the way I'm used to playing'. Even the coach (Rulani Mokwena) told me not to put myself under pressure and play my normal game," he concluded.
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