Lorch: ‘I’d be happier to be in the next round than be Man of the Match’

Midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch says he'd be more happier to have progressed to the semi-final of the Carling Knockout than be voted the Man of the Match during Orlando Pirates' quarter-final defeat to Richards Bay.

The Buccaneers were sent crashing out of the Carling Knockout by The Natal Richboys when they lost a 5-4 penalty shootout after playing to a goalless draw at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

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Lorch, who walked away with R100 000 after being voted the Man of the Match by supporters, said he would trade his award to see his side progress to the next stage of the cup competition.

"We are very disappointed with the results, I think we didn't deserve to lose this game, we had so many chances. We just needed to put the ball in the back of the net," Lorch told the club's media after the match.

"Now we need to regroup and focus, We have another game on Tuesday, which is very important, we need maximum points.

"It's not easy, we need to motivate the smaller ones, guys like Mofokeng and others to focus on the next game. We are doing well, it is just that we don't get those goals.

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Lorch's Man of the Match award against Richards Bay was the second consecutive one in the Carling Knocking, taking his overall take up to R200 000 from Pirates' two matches.

"I would like to thank the supporters for voting for me, but I think I would be happier to go to the next round than be Man of the Match," the midfielder added.

"It means a lot to me that they voted for me and they must keep on supporting us."

Pirates take on Sekhukhune United in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday. Kick-off is at 19:00.

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