Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has revealed why he has had to bench Thembinkosi Lorch in three consecutive matches.
Lorch made his debut against his former side Orlando Pirates in the line-up, in the Brazilians' first game of the resumption of the season.
However, the former PSL Footballer of the Season's performance did not live up to expectations in a 1-1 draw and he could not make the line-up in the subsequent game against Motsepe Foundation Championship side NB La Masia in the Nedbank Cup last 32, where Masandawana won 6-1, as he only came on just after half-time.
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Lorch continued to be on the bench as Sundowns travelled to Nouadibou in the CAF Champions League but this time around did make an impact after coming on in the last 20 minutes, as he scored the second goal in stoppage time to kill the game in a 2-0 victory.
This was his first goal in the Brazilians colours.
Despite impressing, the 30-year-old was on the bench again when the Tshwane giants hosted AmaZulu FC in the DStv Premiership as he only came on with 17 minutes remaining.
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Following the Brazilians 3-0 over Usuthu, Mokwena explained why he has been benching Lorch, speaking to journalists in a post-match press conference.
"If you look at a player like Lorch, people say, 'Why is he on the bench?' He has to be integrated into the system and not only about how we play but also the travelling," Mokwena told reporters at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
"Lorch is not used to every two, three days he's in camp, you know. So he will come, and same with Matias (Esquivel), Zuko (Mdunyelwa). Divine (Lunga) has been excellent, (Bongani) Zungu was superb, Grant (Kekana) zero mistakes, Ronza (Ronwen Williams) again in very important moments in build-up or having to make a save.
"So a very good collective performance, good spirit, the mentality on the bench. (Junior) Mendieta comes in, does well, Gaston (Sirino) was good also, Lebo (Maboe) very good, (Aubrey) Modiba is coming, he needs to regain the confidence, the capacity from a physical perspective to play in an eight. Very happy with the personality of the team," he added.
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The Brazilians will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when they host TP Mazembe at Lucas Moripe Stadium in the last group game of the CAF Champions League.
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