Thembinkosi Lorch will have a big task of redeeming himself from the negative publicity he has received in recent weeks and he'll have to do that without the man who put a lot of faith in him.
It's been widely reported that former Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena fought hard to get Lorch on board during the January transfer window, with sporting director Flemming Berg believed to have been against the move.
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Lorch, now 31, was 30 when he signed for Sundowns and his age was a big concern for Berg and it's been evident in how the Tshwane giants have been signing younger players such as Tashreeq Matthews, Zuko Mdunyelwa and more recently Kobamelo Kodisang and Kegan Johannes.
Lorch was at the centre of controversy towards the end of last season, appearing in a video on social media with two unidentified women. Lorch was left out of the Nedbank Cup final squad and, at the time, it was revealed by former coach Mokwena that the player was injured. The Orlando Pirates documentary also did not portray a good image of Lorch, seemingly painting the player as someone who had a negative influence in the dressing room.
The player has not been part of the Sundowns pre-season preparations in Austria, remaining in South Africa to work his way back from injury, though he is guaranteed not to start the season with the club as he also has to work his way back to full fitness.
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Indications are that the player will be given an opportunity to prove himself under the new technical team led by head coach Manqoba Mngqithi, with Steve Komphela and Romain Folz serving under him. He is part of their plans, but will have to prove himself in a squad that has many players itching to play week in and week out.
Once he fully recovers and is ready to play again, Lorch will have a big task of convincing the technical team. There is tough competition in the team for places, especially with the addition of Kodisang and South American attacker Arthur Sales.
