Talented but sometimes wayward Thembinkosi Lorch could be set for a pressure-cooker season in 2024/25 if recent startling revelations containing his name are anything to go by.
The attacker joined Mamelodi Sundowns during the January transfer window, in a move that shocked many as he was the darling of the Orlando Pirates fans. Reactions to how he has done thus far have been mixed.
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However, it has been matters relating to Lorch's off-field lifestyle that have dominated headlines, after a video of him in a visibly inebriated state while in the company of two unidentified women went viral.
Subsequent to that, the 30-year-old missed the crucial Nedbank Cup final against his former side Pirates on 1 June due to injury, although many held the view it was as punishment for his misdemeanour.
As if to rub salt to injury, a recent episode of 'The Changeroom' series, flighted by the Soweto giants on pay TV channel SuperSport, painted the star nicknamed 'Nyoso' in a negative light, suggesting he was the bad apple in camp.
Several Bucs players confirmed in the documentary that he did not have the best of relationships with Deon Hotto, often questioning why the Namibian was playing all the time and not being substituted as was the case with other players.
Jealousy is said to have been the motivating factor behind Lorch's dislike of his own teammate, if Paseka Mako's words are to be scrutinized carefully.
This may well explain why Pirates shipped their star player to their main rivals for the DStv Premiership title with such ease.
Then it got worse.
It has been mentioned in local media that one of the reasons for the reported rift between now former Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena and sporting director Flemming Berg was the decision to recruit Lorch.
The coach motivated for it, but Berg was apparently against the move. And now that Mokwena has departed, it remains to be seen what becomes of Lorch at the Tshwane giants, especially if his off-field behaviour persists.
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With no one safe from the axe that is currently being wielded at Sundowns, it is a situation that has the potential to place the former Chippa United player in no-man's land. This all should make for an interesting season for one of South African football's supremely talented sons.