With the Soweto Derby fast approaching, Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi admits they are sweating over the fitness of playmaker, Thembinkosi Lorch.
Lorch was a notable absentee from Pirates' goalless draw against Cape Town City on Wednesday evening. His absence raised eyebrows, especially with the 29-year-old enjoying a rich vein of form for the Buccaneers over the last few weeks.
However, after the match, Ncikazi told journalists that Lorch had been included in the matchday squad but sustained an injury in the final preparations, with the club now waiting to find out whether he will be available for the match against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
"Lorch had an injury yesterday (Tuesday), he was in the team. In the last preparation he had a muscle strain, which is why we couldn't take him along. We hope to get the feedback from our medical team whether he will or will not be ready [for the derby], but currently we are not sure," Ncikazi told the media after the match.
Moreover, the coach also explained the decision to start captain Happy Jele on the substitute's bench with Ntsikelelo Nyauza taking his place in the starting XI.
"With Happy it's just management. With Happy as a leader contributing so well as a team, we still have to manage him. He played so many games, he played the full match when we played in Nelspruit, and for him to play again today and on the weekend, so its just management with Happy," he said.
