Orlando Pirates Coach laments Absence Of Lorch, Maela

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has lamented the absence of some of his side’s biggest stars like Thembinkosi Lorch in their 4-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Zinnbauer’s side were put to the sword by the Brazilians for the second time this season, this time in the Nedbank Cup where they were bundled out at the quarterfinal stage.
Although they fielded a strong squad, Pirates were without a host of their regular players like Innocent Maela, Thembinkosi Lorch as well as Richard Ofori for the match.
Speaking to the media after the match, Zinnbauer discussed his side’s shortcomings against Sundowns, while bemoaning the absence of a few of his star players.
“We don’t have enough players at the moment, you saw today (Innocent) Maela is not in as a centre-back and that also maybe changed things. Other players maybe also, (Thembinkosi) Lorch, is also a key player we don’t have available,” Zinnbauer told the media.
“But, it is not an excuse. We had chances to score today, we could have gone ahead in the game. Yes, Sundowns had enough chances, but this was also an away game for us. Don’t forget that it was not only a cup game, it was an away game and we played a different style,” he added.
Pirates will now switch their attention to the DStv Premiership, where they take on Maritzburg United at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday.
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