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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Lorch made shock move to Sundowns in January</li><li>Could make his debut against former employers Pirates</li><li>Is feeling the heat ahead of the blockbuster clash</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Thembinkosi Lorch has mixed feelings about the possibility of starting his Mamelodi Sundowns career against former club Orlando Pirates as they renew their PSL rivalry

Premier Soccer League

Royal AM

Orlando Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

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<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/what-s-next-for-jose-riveiro-s-thembinkosi-lorch-less-orlando-pirates-as-premier-soccer-league-action-returns/bltba549ffe92272538" target="_blank">Lorch's move from Orlando Pirates to Mamelodi Sundowns</a> can be equated to Formula 1 driver <a href="https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13071476/lewis-hamilton-mercedes-driver-emotional-preparing-for-final-season-with-team-ahead-of-ferrari-move" target="_blank">Lewis Hamilton's decision to dump Mercedes Benz</a> and join rivals Ferrari.Bucs supporters dropped a sea of tears when the announcement was made, and now, Lorch has the chance to rub salt into the wound of the Buccaneers.Pirates visit PSL rivals Sundowns and Lorch would rather prefer to make his debut against a different team, but at the same time, he knows where his bread is now buttered.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Lorch follows in the footsteps of a number of Pirates fan favourites who have jumped ship from the Sea Robbers to Sundowns.The likes of Teko Modise, Lebohang 'Cheeseboy' Mokoena, the late Gift Leremi and Oupa Manyisa are among the most prominent 'traitors', who have - to justify their move - gone on to enjoy much success at Chloorkop.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

"I remember I signed for Pirates when I was 22 years and left there when I’m 30, so I’m grateful for the opportunity that Irvin Khoza gave me. Pirates will always have a special place in my heart."And also I want to thank the chairman of Mamelodi Sundowns for believing in me, and for bringing me into this beautiful team and I’m looking forward to giving my best for this team too. I think the team welcomed me well," <a href="https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/lorch-hoping-to-debut-against-pirates/" target="_blank">Lorch was quoted as saying by iDiski Times</a>.

WHAT LORCH SAID 

"The spirit in the team is very good. Everyone wants to play, every player wants to play over the weekend. Because we’re playing Pirates, it’s a big team, it’s a big game. The coach will decide who plays so it’s up to the coach."It’s difficult to play my first game, especially against my former team. But ja, life, we need to move on. I’m hoping that I will start over the weekend and do my best for my team," said the former Bucs star.

AND WHAT MORE?

His coach, Rhulani Mokwena has always sung about how he fields players based on merit, and Lorch is no exception to this rule even though he has worked with him at Pirates before.Mokwena served as the assistant coach between 2017 and 2020 - a period which saw Lorch win the coveted PSL Footballer of the Season.The Downs mentor has told Lorch that he wants the 30-year-old to go back to that form and said if 'Nyoso' wants to be a regular at Downs, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/lorch-warned-by-mamelodi-sundowns-coach-mokwena-ahead-of-orlando-pirates-reunion-he-has-to-work-very-hard-like-everybody-else/blt608727b2816a3602" target="_blank">he will have to pull his weight like everybody else</a>.

WHAT'S NEXT?

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/psl/yv73ms6v1995b5wny16jcfi3" target="_blank">More PSL news</a><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=psl+transfer+news%3A+Latest+rumours+from+Kaizer+Chiefs%2C+Orlando+Pirates%2C+Mamelodi+Sundowns+%26+all+PSL+teams+%7C+Goal.com+South+Africa&amp;rlz=1C1CHBF_enZA989ZA989&amp;oq=psl+transfer+news%3A+Latest+rumours+from+Kaizer+Chiefs%2C+Orlando+Pirates%2C+Mamelodi+Sundowns+%26+all+PSL+teams+%7C+Goal.com+South+Africa&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQRRg80gEINTgzM2owajSoAgCwAgA&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8" target="_blank">PSL transfer rumours</a><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/team/mamelodi-sundowns-fc/3h2hc3qy5uritiscjfq27bv3a" target="_blank">Sundowns news</a>

DIVE DEEPER

Thembinkosi Lorch has mixed feelings about the possibility of starting his Mamelodi Sundowns career against former club Orlando Pirates as they renew their PSL rivalry | Goal.com South Africa

Thembinkosi Lorch is feeling the heat now as he stands a chance of making his Mamelodi Sundowns debut against old employers Orlando Pirates.

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