Lorch not in coach Cardoso's plan at Sundowns
Thembinkosi Lorch appears to have no future at Mamelodi Sundowns, with sources indicating the former PSL Footballer of the Season is not part of head coach Miguel Cardoso's plans.
Lorch was among the first casualties following Cardoso's arrival last December, having been loaned to Wydad Casablanca just a month later. Rushine de Reuck also departed during the same window, joining Israeli side Maccabi Petah Tikva on loan.
ALSO READ: Sundowns reject Offer for Mudau, player wants improved terms
Lorch impressed during his stint at Wydad, particularly with his performances at the FIFA Club World Cup, sparking speculation that he could be reintegrated into the Sundowns setup. However, Phakaaathi understands that Cardoso remains unconvinced and is looking to move in a different direction.
The 32-year-old failed to report for pre-season, prompting the Sundowns hierarchy to explore possible exit options. Having signed from Orlando Pirates in a high-profile switch in January 2024, Lorch's move to Chloorkop has ultimately failed to live up to expectations.
He is currently training on his own while plotting his next move, which is believed to be in North Africa. Cardoso, who has consistently expressed a preference for a smaller squad, has already approved de Reuck's switch to Simba SC in Tanzania.
ALSO READ: Pirates coach Ouaddou hails Appollis after MTN8 victory over City
Lorch is expected to be the next to leave as Sundowns continue to trim their squad for the new season with other big-name players expected to depart the Chloorkop-based side.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
Mudau and Shalulile on their way out of Chloorkop? Sundowns coach responds
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has explained why his key players Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Peter Shalulile, and Khuliso Mudau were missing this past weekend. The trio were absent during the team's 4-0 win over Richards Bay FC in the MTN8 quarter-final on Sunday at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville. While Ribeiro trained with the squad last week, there has been speculations over Mudau and Shalilule's futures at the club. The latter is linked with a high-profile move to Esperance 'All those things are being sorted out by the club and I'm sure they will be public in proper time,' Cardoso said on Sunday. 'I understand what's happening with Lucas, Peter, or Thapelo Morena, who was not here today [Sunday] because he had a small injury. But as a coach, I would want to have the team as complete as possible, and all coaches want to receive reinforcements for the new season as quickly as possible. 'So it's not where we are, but it doesn't mean we can't cope with our responsibilities. As a coach, I have to work on solutions rather than problems. 'It's obvious that we would have loved to start the season where we ended with all the players, but no one should think that Mamelodi Sundowns will be at a level that it shouldn't be in. I'm sure the people in charge will take responsibility to organise the issues in a proper time,' Cardoso added. Mudau is yet to agree on a new deal with Masandawana while Shalulile is looking for an exit after limited gametime last season under Cardoso. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- The Citizen
Thembinkosi Lorch faces Sundowns exit after missing pre-season
Thembinkosi Lorch appears to have no future at Mamelodi Sundowns, with sources indicating the former PSL Footballer of the Season is not part of head coach Miguel Cardoso's plans. The Citizen reports that Lorch was among the first casualties following Cardoso's arrival last December, having been loaned to Wydad Casablanca just a month later. Rushine de Reuck also departed during the same window, joining Israeli side Maccabi Petah Tikva on loan. Lorch impressed during his stint at Wydad, particularly with his performances at the Fifa Club World Cup, sparking speculation that he could be reintegrated into the Sundowns setup. However, Phakaaathi understands that Cardoso remains unconvinced and is looking to move in a different direction. The 32-year-old failed to report for pre-season, prompting the Sundowns hierarchy to explore possible exit options. Having signed from Orlando Pirates in a high-profile switch in January 2024, Lorch's move to Chloorkop has ultimately failed to live up to expectations. He is currently training on his own while plotting his next move, believed to be in North Africa. Cardoso, who has consistently expressed a preference for a smaller squad, has already approved De Reuck's switch to Simba SC in Tanzania. Lorch is expected to be the next to leave as Sundowns continue to trim their squad for the new season, with other big-name players also expected to depart the Chloorkop-based side.
IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
Norris shines as McLaren tighten grip on both titles ahead of summer break
Lando Norris celebrates McLaren's 200th Grand Prix victory with a composed drive in Budapest, edging team-mate Oscar Piastri to tighten an all-orange title race ahead of the summer break. Photo: AFP Image: AFP Lando Norris danced his way to a fifth win of the season in Budapest — a victory born not of dominance from the start, but of grit and quiet persistence. From a slow launch off the line to a forceful final flourish, the Briton pieced together another masterpiece under the Hungarian grey clouds, taming the twists of the Hungaroring when it mattered most to hand his team their 200th Grand Prix victory. With 14 races done and dusted and the paddock slipping into its summer pause, McLaren stand tall at the top — not just chasing, but commanding both championships. Their run through the first half of 2025 has been a blend of precision, patience and pure performance. The Surrey-based outfit has held control since the opening round, delivering more podium finishes than any other team and stretching out a remarkable 299-point lead in the Constructors' Championship. The fat lady isn't just warming up — she's already singing. For McLaren, the only real battle from here may be the one happening internally. Just nine points separate Norris and Oscar Piastri heading into the break. With the title fight shaping up as a two-horse race in papaya orange, here are some key talking points from the weekend: McLaren's careful management amid a brewing driver duel Since Lewis Hamilton's 2008 triumph, McLaren have longed for another drivers' title. This season, they've done little wrong. Team orders have been minimal and the atmosphere largely positive — for now. Given how close the title fight is, it would be natural to expect tensions to flare between the two young stars with everything on the line. Yet, despite being given the freedom to race, both Norris and Piastri have kept things respectful. But as the pressure ramps up later in the season, the cracks may begin to show. The one with cooler nerves will likely prevail. Piastri has looked the steadier of the two at times, but it's been just as impressive how Norris, even when things haven't gone his way, has kept himself just nine points adrift — further testament to how well the team has managed a potentially volatile situation. Verstappen's tough outing continues Max Verstappen, meanwhile, finds himself in the midst of one of the most difficult stretches of his career. A ninth-place finish in Hungary marked his fourth consecutive race without a podium — an unthinkable statistic for a driver who has defined F1's recent era. The biggest talking point surrounding the Dutchman wasn't his lacklustre result, but rather a near-miss with long-time rival Hamilton as he attempted to claw back positions. In a daring move while overtaking a Ferrari struggling on worn tyres, Verstappen forced Hamilton wide — a moment that sparked post-race debate over potential penalties. However, the stewards deemed no further action necessary. Red Bull's struggles have been glaring. With Yuki Tsunoda often absent from the points, they've effectively operated with one car — and even that hasn't been enough. The break offers a crucial window to regroup, but there's no mistaking the task at hand: closing the gap between their two drivers and salvaging some pride. Hamilton's dream move off to a slow start For Hamilton, Hungary brought an unwanted milestone: his worst finish at the venue in 15 years. A frustrating weekend, which saw him finish 12th, capped what has been a disappointing first half of the season with Ferrari — a move once billed as a fairytale now increasingly looks like a misstep. Adding to the pain, team-mate Charles Leclerc continues to pull clear. The Monegasque has steadily delivered solid results, opening up a 42-point gap over the seven-time world champion. With one eye already on 2026's regulation changes, Hamilton would have hoped for far more from his debut campaign in red. The upcoming break may be short, but it offers a moment for reflection — and renewed hope for a stronger finish to a fading season.
