Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has dismissed the perception of treating Thembinkosi Lorch with kid gloves alongside signing the former Orlando Pirates star due of their close friendship.
With Lorch still going through an adaptation phase at Sundowns having joined in January from Orlando Pirates, a section of fans are yet to be convinced he is part of the fabric that could complete the Pretoria giants.
Speaking after the 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy where Lorch scored his first DStv Premiership goal in the colours of Sundowns, Mokwena confirmed his personal friendship with the player.
However, the young mentor insisted he would never allow his friendship with Lorch or any other player to cloud his judgment.
“They are right, Lorch is my friend,” Mokwena told the media after Monday’s win at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
“They (players) are all my friends. When they are playing, [to] most of them, I’m their best friend. All of them.
“When some of them are on the bench and some of them not in the starting line-up, I’m just their friend. But they are all my friends and they know that in me they’ve got a friend and they’ve got a brother for life.
“So, the people are right when they say the players are my friends like Mothobi (Mvala) is my friend, Grant Kekana is my friend.
“You should see the conversations I have with these players, sometimes they’ve got nothing to do with football.”
Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena asks for patience on Thembinkosi Lorch.
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) April 30, 2024
Full press conference ➡️ ➡️ ➡️https://t.co/1jpHnt2NUq pic.twitter.com/HTbartJHCe
Since joining Sundowns, the 30-year-old forward has scored four goals alongside a solitary assist across all competitions.
Lorch though, has come under heavy scrutiny for missing a one-on-one in a crucial Caf Champions League semi-final.
Mokwena has insisted he doesn’t regret bringing Lorch from Pirates where the two worked together before.
“We are honest with each other, they are honest with me and Lorch, he scored two goals the other day and he said on TV that ‘the coach has been very hard on me for not shooting inside the box,” Mokwena added.
“I don’t move away from my responsibility to serve this football club. Before friendship and before relationship is the success of Mamelodi Sundowns.
“And that’s the reason why I’m employed here.
“So, as much as it is true that yes, I’ve got a fantastic relationship with my players, the paramount focus here is performance and helping the team to win. And that’s for everybody, including myself.”
Mokwena pleaded with supporters to give Lorch more time to get used to the Sundowns system.
“How can we judge it after a few months? It is impossible. Which player comes and, boom, immediately performs?
“Every player has an adaptation period, some take faster and some take longer. He also needs his adaptation period and support.”
Sundowns will continue with their congested schedule when they travel to bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs for a league clash at FNB Stadium on Thursday at 19:30.
Sundowns will be crowned champions for the seventh successive time if they beat Chiefs.
𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝟯!
— Sahil Ebrahim (@sahil_e_) April 29, 2024
Thembinkosi Lorch scores his 1st #DStvPrem goal for Masandawana.
Themba Zwane hatrick of assists. 🫴🫴🫴
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 TS Galaxy pic.twitter.com/nuIc5wp929
