Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokoena says he is aware of the heavy expectations that may follow new signing Thembinkosi Lorch at his new surroundings in Chloorkop.
Lorch completed a move from Orlando Pirates on Deadline day. Rulani admits the deal was difficult to complete, and complimented both clubs for peacefully reaching an agreement.
With Sundowns boasting quality midfield players in their ranks, Nyoso’s move to Chloorkop sent shockwaves throughout the country.
“When you have a player like Thembinkosi Lorch that is available on the market and can give you immediate output by helping the team work towards its objectives, of course you have to try and see how possible that is.
We want to thank his former club for dealing with the transfer with integrity and respect. That’s how we also try to treat every club with respect and integrity. It was not an easy transfer to make but the respect and the cooperation that exists from both clubs allowed it to take place.
“We are delighted to have a player of his stature and magnitude because he comes in with heavy expectations and the pressure to deliver. He is that type of player and big things can be expected from him,” said Mokoena in an interview with the club’s media team.
Mokwena says the signing of Zuko Mdunyelwa (24) and Matias Esquivel (23) fits into the club’s profile of reducing the average age of the squad.
“We have been very clear with regards to what the club is trying to do in dropping the average age of the squad,” Mokwena said.
“When you look at it from a long-term perspective, we want to have a team that can be able to compete not only in the immediate but have sustained ability to perform and win trophies for an extended period of time.
“That means the age bracket of the players that we try to incorporate in the squad are players that are a little bit younger, players that show incredible potential and who we feel we can work hard on to improve.
Hopefully in the next few years, they can give Mamelodi Sundowns a lot of success that is sustained because Zuko, Matias and Tashreeq tick that box,” said Rulani.
𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗼𝘀𝗶 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁! 😃
Take a sneak peek behind the scenes of his first training session! 💪
Watch now on YouTube ⬇https://t.co/px8HUrno1d#Sundowns pic.twitter.com/fvZYzgNTyh
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 5, 2024
Sundowns get their league campaign underway again with back to back encounters against Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates. They play Abafana Bes’thende next week Wednesday before the titanic clash against the Buccaneers three days later.
