EXPLAINED: Rulani Mokwena lauds Pirates’ integrity and respect following Thembinkosi Lorch transfer

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has thanked Orlando Pirates for their professionalism in dealing with the transfer of Thembinkosi Lorch.

Football fans were shocked to learn that Lorch was set to swap Pirates for their DStv Premiership rivals after seven seasons and 176 appearances.

But his move was confirmed last week and the 30-year-old Bafana international made the switch to Mokwena’s all-conquering club ahead of the second half of the season.

Reflecting on the deal, a delighted Brazilians’ boss said in the Citizen: “When you have a player like Thembinkosi Lorch that is available on the market and can give you immediate output by helping the team work towards its objectives, of course, you have to try and see how possible that is.”

Mokwena continued: “We want to thank his former club for dealing with the transfer with integrity and respect. That’s how we also try to treat every club with respect and integrity.

“It was not an easy transfer to make but the respect and the cooperation that exists from both clubs allowed it to take place.

“We are delighted to have a player of his stature and magnitude because he comes in with heavy expectations and the pressure to deliver. He is that type of player and big things can be expected from him.”