RED FLAGS: More questions over Lorch absence raised

While head coach Rulani Mokwena blamed an injury for midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch's absence in the upcoming Nedbank Cup final, there were major red flags in the league winner's pokerfaced response that perhaps point to other reasons for the talisman's absence.

To his credit, Mokwena did as best as any coach in that situation could to answer the initial question over Lorch's availability. 

But his responses did little to stomp out the fire that had ignited when the midfielder went viral over a social media video posted from Lorch' personal Instagram account, showing the midfielder involved in what some have deemed unprofessional conduct.

READ |  The big Lorch question answered...

Mokwena had said he was 'extremely disappointed' Lorch on Monday night and that they had spoken over the phone when asked about the viral video on MSW.

He had to again endure the fire from media when he was asked about Lorch's availability for the upcoming Nedbank Cup final against rivals Orlando Pirates at the Nedbank Cup Final pre-match press conference on Thursday.

The 37-year-old initially responded that with Lorch would not be available, but in doing so also indicated that would be a far more stern conversation to be had with his star man. 

"On Lorch, is he available for Saturday? No, he is not available," Mokwena said on Thursday.

"And with these types of things, and I say this to you guys all the time, when it comes to players you'll get no negative word from me. I always protect my players in the media.

"In a space where I'm open and honest with them, is when I close my office and I have a face-to-face conversation with them.

"So you're not going to hear anything about Lorch from me today."

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When asked if the player had been suspended, Mokwena's responses raised more questions than answers, with the former Pirates and Chippa United coach now stating that an injury was the main reason behind Lorch's absence although letting it slip that he had been 'removed from the group,'

"No [he is not suspended], he is injured, but he has been removed from the group, yes," Mokwena hastily added.

"He got injured against Stellies in Cape Town and he might have to undergo surgery. So, his season may be over."

Several problems arise with this response; while Lorch did indeed appear to have sustained an injury against Stellenbosch, he was not listed among Sundowns' injured players for The Brazilians' final match of the season against Cape Town City.

Two; even then, does the supposed injury warrant that the talisman be 'removed from the group? Or was that part of the punishment for Lorch's transgression, if any? 

With Mokwena, and Sundowns keeping their cards close to their chest over how the matter will be handled, reading between the lines, points to either an internal disciplinary action against the playmaker or a bid to protect him from further scrutiny.

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