Former Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has weighed in on Thembinkosi Lorch’s snub by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos from the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) squad and
also about the former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder’s scintillating form at Wydad Athletic Club in Morocco.
Lorch has been all over the headlines – this time for the right reasons – as he is enjoying a good run of form in the Botola Pro 1 in Morocco.
Despite that, the 32-year-old forward missed out on Broos’ preliminary squad for the Afcon and is very unlikely to convince the Belgian grey fox for the Fifa World Cup next year.
Riveiro, who was recently in Mzansi for the launch of the Carling Black Label Cup, also spoke about Lorch’s departure from Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, suggesting that his move to Wydad was the best decision to revive his career.
“I can say Lorch leaving Pirates, or even Sundowns, because he left Sundowns before going to North Africa … was sort of a good decision for him because it is important to find yourself in the process,” Riveiro revealed to Sunday World.
“The reasons behind leaving the two clubs are something that I don’t know, but I am just happy for Nyoso because he is a good boy, an excellent football player, and one of those talents that, as a coach, regardless of where he is, you want to see him enjoying and playing football because he is gifted.
“These are the type of players that you don’t want to see wasting their time and talent. He has now found the right team and environment, and it seems clear that it is working for Lorch at Wydad.”
On whether he would be happier to see his former star player donning the Bafana jersey again, the “Spanish Guitar” said the decision lies with Broos.
“Unfortunately, the decision of Lorch returning to Bafana Bafana belongs to Hugo because the coach has a lot of quality to choose from.
“And luckily the team is doing well, getting the results and on the verge of achieving greater things,” Riveiro added.
