Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi was left impressed by midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch, who came on as a substitute during the walk in the park that the Carling Knockout match against Golden Arrows turned into as the Tshwane giants ran out 5-0 winners.
Sundowns progressed to the quarterfinals of the competition courtesy of goals from Thapelo Morena, Iqraam Rayners, Mothobi Mvala, Peter Shalulile and academy graduate Kutlwano Letlhaku on Saturday evening.
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The match also marked a return to action for Lorch, who had missed out in the prior fixture, the 2-1 league victory over Kaizer Chiefs.
It was the former Orlando Pirates man's fourth appearance of the season as he provided an assist for Mvala's goal.
Following the convincing win over a team he previously coached, Mngqithi said he was pleased to see a determined Lorch back in action.
"I must say it's really pleasing to see the substitutes really pushing to show what they have for the team because we've got so many matches," said Mngqithi, speaking at the post-match press conference at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
"These few minutes that we give them are usually an opportunity for these players to get a full match and try to rest other players that are more established within the group.
"When you see them coming, playing the way they played today... I think against SuperSport [United], we also had very good substitutions.
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"Against Chiefs, unfortunately, we didn't lift the game up from the substitutions, but it was really, really pleasing to see how they showed the hunger to perform.
"I was very pleased just to see Lorch showing the hunger, the level of intensity, the running off the ball, trying to get into [the right spaces] and also having an assist.
"For me, that is exactly what I want from an offensive player. I was very excited when I saw that," added the head coach.