Jose Riveiro Refuses To Talk About Lorch’s Absence

Jose Reveiro

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has refused to address the latest injury update of the club’s star player Thembinkosi Lorch, insisting it’s not his role to talk about injured players.

Lorch’s future at Pirates is increasing in uncertainty, with him been  previously heavily linked with a move to the DStv Premiership reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

The 29-year-old forward was a notable absentee during the DStv Premiership encounter between Sundowns and Pirates at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday, where Pirates eventually lost 2-0.

Riveiro, speaking at his post-match press conference at Loftus, simply said a “I don’t talk about individual players” as he refused to issue an update on Lorch.

“No, I don’t speak about injured players or individual players. It’s the same line, just as from the beginning of the season. It’s not my role to discuss injured players,” Riveiro told journalists after the match.

Nyoso, as Lorch is affectionately known, last kicked a ball in August last year. The fan favourite has only played five matches this season, without scoring any goals or providing any assists.

Asked if Lorch’s absence affects the team, the Spanish coach was not willing to answer, instead asked how do coaches measure someone’s effect?

“How can we measure that? Asked Riveiro.

“Is there any tool to measure how much it effects the team when someone is not playing for the team? I cannot answer that.”

Riveiro and his troops will visit Cape Town City at the DHL Stadium this coming Saturday. Pirates sit 5th on the table, after they played 14 matches.

Thembinkosi Lorch of Orlando Pirates during the DStv Premiership 2020/21 match between Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City on the 09 February 2020 at Orlando Stadium, Soweto Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix, Riveiro
Thembinkosi Lorch of Orlando Pirates during the DStv Premiership 2020/21 match between Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City on the 09 February 2020 at Orlando Stadium, Soweto Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix