Orlando Pirates attacker Deon Hotto is open to mending his frosty relationship with former teammate Thembinkosi Lorch.
The “beef” between Hotto and Lorch was recently revealed to the public in the club’s enlightening docu-series named The Changeroom.
South Africans learned with dismay that the two stars were not on speaking terms, with some Pirates players alleging jealousy from Lorch’s side about the Namibian star.
In one of the episodes, Hotto stated that some of his teammates weren’t pleased about him always being on the starting line-up and rarely got substituted off the pitch.
Hotto’s versatility enables him to play both as a defender and attacker, which has made him indispensable in Jose Riveiro’s team.
When Pirates were short of a left back with Innocent Maela and Paseka Mako injured, Riveiro called on Hotto for cover and the latter did a sterling job.
At the time of the revelations, Lorch had already left the Sea Robbers to join Mamelodi Sundowns during the January transfer window period.
Speaking to the media during the club’s jersey launch at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Monday, Hotto opened up about the state of his relationship, or lack of it, with Lorch.
“There’s no relationship because he is not here anymore,” Hotto said.
“Actually, I had to settle this with him, but it was around the time when the league was going to (the January break), so I went to the national team for AFCON and while I was still on that side, I heard that he has left the club.
“So, we actually haven’t met and sat down (to talk about it).”
The Namibian international said if the opportunity presents itself to sort out this issue he would “definitely,” jump at it.
While the airing of the Pirates’ docu-series has gained plaudits, it also has received a thumbs down from naysayers who felt some of the behind-the-scenes stuff should remain in that position.
Apart from the Hotto-Lorch saga, people were shocked to see how vice-captain Tapelo Xoki and star player Patrick Maswanganyi almost came to blows.
The Changeroom also showed another side of the always cool, calm and collected Riverio, where he dropped F-bombs following an unsatisfactory performance.
But, most importantly, it has received a big thump from the players.
“These are things that happen behind the scenes. It’s not all about the good you see from us there (in a distance), but we have many fights in the changeroom, at training and all that,” Hotto said.
“It’s an eye-opener for people to know that it’s not just about coming to training and going home. Come to play a match and go home. We have fights, it’s just like in every company.
“For me, it’s nothing wrong man,” insisted Hotto.
“Even when you are the team captain it doesn’t mean I can’t fight you. It happens in the heat of the moment when sometimes you will say something and later when you get home you reflect and say ‘No, man. I think I wasn’t supposed to say now,’ It’s just the heat of the moment.
“You don’t want to lose. So, you will be fighting and say ‘Maybe Xoki you were supposed to pass me the ball there and you decided to kick the ball,’ but maybe the way I’m saying it to you is not the way I’m supposed to. Maybe I’m being harsh.”
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