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Lorch emerged as the hero on Sunday, March 17th, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/nedbank-cup-top-class-thembinkosi-lorch-s-brace-sends-mamelodi-sundowns-past-maritzburg-united-into-the-quarter-finals/blta6aaa0ab80f103a4" target="_blank">netting a brace</a> that propelled Sundowns past a resilient Team of Choice, securing their spot in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals.He has been steadily asserting his presence at the club, particularly stepping up when the Brazilians encountered difficulties in overcoming their determined opponents.GOAL presents candid remarks from the Man of the Match, as well as insights from Sundowns' Mokwena and Maritzburg's Simo Dladla...<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>

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Thembinkosi Lorch reveals Rhulani Mokwena's influence as he makes his mark at the club

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Mamelodi Sundowns FC

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National First Division

Maritzburg United

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Receiving the Man of the Match recognition for his brace, Lorch is progressively establishing himself at the Chloorkop-based side and commended coach Mokwena for his influence.“The coach was hard on me this week for not scoring goals. I’m getting in the box but I’m not shooting enough, he was hard on me and today (Sunday), I managed to score two goals,” Lorch told SuperSport in his post-match interview.Speaking on his goals, Lorch revealed, “It’s from training, when (Bongani) Zungu got the ball, I had to be on the half-space (to score). And then the second goal, it was a cutback and it fell for me and I had to take it and finish it.”&nbsp;

Mokwena’s effect…

In addition to acknowledging Mokwena's influence, Lorch also conveyed appreciation to the Masandawana supporters and his teammates for warmly embracing him since his arrival at the team in January from Orlando Pirates.“For me, firstly I would like to thank them for welcoming me into the team. I would like to thank the coach for being patient with me. It wasn’t easy for me coming from Pirates to Sundowns, you know. I had to settle in and ja, thanks to the guys,” he concluded.

Lorch expresses gratitude

On the other hand, Mokwena commended the opposing team for their resilience and determination displayed throughout the match.“Maritzburg were worthy opponents, they fought and they’ve always been such a difficult team for Mamelodi Sundowns, in the past I remember games where they were coached by Ernst (Middendorp) Fadlu (Davids), always so difficult. So we beat a very good team, they fought, they were brave and they were aggressive,” he said.“But we were good, especially in the second half. I asked for my soldiers at halftime and I want to thank the players for an incredible effort, great intensity, aggression, and attacking the box. Still, one or two things that I’m still not happy with but, okay, we are still a work in progress and we wanna improve as a team. We just have to maintain this winning streak, keep winning games, even when we are not at our best and we will improve, we will get better,” he concluded.

Mokwena praises Maritzburg

Although his team held Sundowns at a deadlock until Lorch's breakthrough in the 74th minute, Maritzburg's coach Simo Dladla emphasises that there are significant lessons to be learned from the match, despite his disappointment at the final result.“Ja, well this is the end for us but I take a lot of positives from this game, I take a lot of encouragement going forward into the last nine games in the league (National First Division),” he said.“Look at some point in the game, I had to try and give other players a chance because all of them have been working so hard for this. This was a big game for them and in the end, I had to try and share the minutes with everyone.“Coming back to the game, I think it’s clear the quality of Sundowns because without the ball we played well. I was disappointed with our game on the ball because I know these boys can do better but I think the stage was too big,” he concluded.

Dladla’s key takeaways…

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Thembinkosi Lorch reveals Rhulani Mokwena's influence as he makes his mark at the club  | Goal.com

The 30-year-old disclosed the impact of the Brazilians&apos; coach on his performance during the Nedbank Cup Last-16 match against Maritzburg United.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Thembinkosi Lorch reveals Rhulani Mokwena&apos;s influence as he makes his mark at the club

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