Xola Mlambo, Orlando Pirates, August 2018

Xola Mlambo reveals telepathic partnership with Orlando Pirates teammate Thembinkosi Lorch

Orlando Pirates midfielder Xola Mlambo praised teamwork following their victory over SuperSport United on Saturday night.

Mlambo played an important role in helping the Buccaneers overcome Matsatsantsa 3-1 in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match which was played at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

The central midfielder, who grabbed an assist on the night, walked away with the man of the match accolade as the Bucs avenged their defeat to Matsatsantsa in the 2018 MTN8 Cup quarter-finals. 

“It wasn’t an easy game. The boys put in a great fight. We knew that they knocked us out of the Cup, but it didn’t matter because we set ourselves goals,” Mlambo told SuperSport TV.

“We were mainly focusing on this game and forgot about the previous game. We take it one game at a time. If it wasn’t for the boys I don’t think we would’ve walked away with the three points," he said. 

Bucs' goals were scored by Vincent Pule, Thembinkosi Lorch and Ben Motshwari, while Matsatsantsa scored through Bongani Khumalo. 

"They came back and equalised but the boys managed to pull through and gave all that they had," the former Chippa United player added.

Mlambo set-up Lorch with a beautiful back-heel for Pirates’ second goal, and the Soweto-born player discussed their unique understanding.

“I saw Lorch and I knew that he was waiting for it. He understands me. We come from way back," he revealed.

"I played with Lorch at Cape Town All Stars. So, I can read his movements and he can read my movements. It is something that we generally know and work on at training,' he concluded.

It was Pirates' second successive win in the league having defeated Black Leopards 2-1 in Polokwane.

Bucs will take on Cape Town City in their next league game at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.

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