Cardoso Explains Why Mamelodi Sundowns Let Lorch Reunite With Mokwena at Wydad

Cardoso Explains Why Mamelodi Sundowns Let Lorch Reunite With Mokwena at Wydad

  • Thembinkosi Lorch has left Mamelodi Sundowns to join Moroccan side Wydad Athletic Club on a six-month loan deal after failing to get enough playing time under Miguel Cardoso
  • The Portuguese tactician has explained the reason behind the Brazilians' decision to loan out the former Orlando Pirates star to the Botola Professional league this January
  • The South African midfielder will be reuniting with former Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena at the North African club, and it would be the third time playing under the Mzansi manager

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has stated why Masandawana let Thembinkosi Lorch reunite with Rulani Mokwena at Wydad Athletic Club.

The former Orlando Pirates midfielder has struggled to get playing time since the Portuguese manager arrived, and a loan move to Morocco could be the perfect solution for the 31-year-old.

Lorch was brought in from Pirates to compete in the same position with Themba Zwane under Mokwena, but the Brazilians have moved past that and have brought Jayden Adams from Stellenbosch FC this January.

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Miguel Cardoso states why Mamelodi Sundowns allowed Thembinkosi Lorch to leave on loan.
Miguel Cardoso opens up on Mamelodi Sundowns decision to let Thembinkosi Lorch to reunite with Rulani Mokwena at Wydad Athletic Club. Photo: @WACofficiel and @Masandawana.
Source: Twitter

Cardoso on Lorch's move to Wydad

Lorch will be on loan at Wydad for the remaining part of the season, and could earn a permanent move to the Moroccan giants if he impress during his six-month loan at the club.

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According to iDiskiTimes, Cardoso explained why Sundowns had to let Lorch leave the club for Morocco.

“Lorch, as you can imagine, he was not happy here, and it’s important that players are happy, we cannot sustain players that are not in the context of the environment where they feel they can perform,” Cardoso said when asked about his exit from Sundowns.
“Sometimes it’s important to give them the air they need to breathe so they can express themselves and also have the game time they need to play. Lorch is not a young player. In the last [few years], he’s not played that much, it was important to let him go [to play football].”

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Lorch joins Lesiba Nku and Lebo Maboe on the list of players who left Sundowns in the winter transfer window.

The two players opted to stay in the Premier Soccer League, while Erwin Saavedra is set to move back to South America.

Reactions as Lorch joins Wydad on loan

Khethanikesman said:

"This Lorch story shows the dangers of a football club signing a player against their own recruitment policies just to please a coach who wants to sign the players because they like or friends with that particular player. Lorch was signed for the coach not for the club plans."

Ultron_v2 wrote:

"Rhulani really sees the beast in Lorch✊🏾."

neightm04 reacted:

"So glad I never have to see this guy in the PSL ever again..Hated that I had to pretend I don’t like him.. Brilliant player when on song! Just made a horrible career move & hope Rele is never tempted to move.."

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ingwe_CFC commented:

"Very good that he is not coming to KC, Chiefs can't afford to have a hospital patient...injury prone."

Lorch criticised by Sundowns fans

Briefly News also reported that Lorch was criticised by Sundowns supporters after wishing former Masandawana coach Rulani Mokwena a happy birthday.

The South African midfielder shared the birthday message using a picture of him and the SA coch during their Orlando Pirates days, and it doesn't go down well with Masandawana fans

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Raphael Abiola avatar

Raphael Abiola (Sports editor) Raphael Abiola is a Nigerian Sports Journalist with over seven years of experience. He obtained a B.Tech degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in 2015. Raphael previously worked as a football editor at Stakegains (2016-2018) and a content editor with Opera News Nigeria (2018-2023). Raphael then worked as an Editor for the Local Desk at Sports Brief (2023-2024). Reach him via email at raphael.abiola@sportsbrief.com.