Thembinkosi Lorch is an injury doubt for the Soweto Derby after missing Orlando Pirates’ DStv Premiership goalless draw against Cape Town City on Wednesday through injury.
Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi is unsure if Lorch, who has been battling injuries for some time, will be fit for Saturday’s crucial derby clash against rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
The 28-year-old attacker suffered a late injury in training on Tuesday and could well be unavailable at the weekend.
“Lorch had an injury [on Tuesday]. He was in the team; in the last preparation, he had a muscle strain, which is why we couldn’t take him along,” said Ncikazi.
Lorch has made 11 appearances in all competitions this season with three assists to his name,
“We hope from our medical team to get the feedback whether he’ll be ready [for the derby] or not ready, but currently we’re not sure.
Ncikaizi explained Tshegofatso Mabasa’s absence and why Happy Jele only played a few minutes against CT City late in the second half at Orlando Stadium.
“With Happy, it’s just management. With Happy contributing so well as a leader in the team but again, we still have to manage him. He’s played so many games,” he said.
“He played the whole match when we played in Nelspruit on the weekend. So it’s just management with Happy.”
“Mabasa is okay; it’s just the competition. Pirates has six to seven good strikers. He’s training well, and I hope he’s getting his opportunity soon,” concluded Ncikazi.
