Mamelodi Sundowns winger Thembinkosi Lorch is facing criticism from fans after posting a picture of himself wearing a Maritzburg United jersey during a gym session, despite being contracted to the defending PSL champions. Lorch, who joined Sundowns in a high-profile move from Orlando Pirates in January 2024, has struggled to make an impact at the club, and his recent social media post has only added fuel to the fire.
In the image, Lorch is seen wearing a Maritzburg United shirt paired with AC Milan pants, which quickly caught the attention of fans on social media. To make matters more controversial, Lorch also shared a video of himself wearing a Sundowns sweater paired with Manchester City tights. His choice of training gear raised eyebrows, particularly since he is under contract with Sundowns, and the combination of club gear from various teams led many fans to express their disappointment.
This latest incident comes at a time when Lorch’s position at Sundowns has already been under scrutiny. The 31-year-old has faced criticism for his limited playing time since his move to the club, having struggled to impress under Rulani Mokwena’s management. Despite being one of the most highly regarded players in the league during his time at Orlando Pirates, Lorch has not been able to replicate that form at Sundowns. Although he has managed to score five goals across all competitions, his time on the pitch has been limited, and this has sparked speculation about his future at the club.
Local football fans have voiced mixed reactions to Lorch’s recent social media posts. Some supporters believe that his actions are a clear indication that he may be trying to force his way out of Sundowns, possibly in search of more playing time elsewhere. Others have backed him, expressing hope that he can find his form again and make a meaningful contribution to Sundowns moving forward.
Lorch’s behaviour off the pitch has also attracted attention in the past. Earlier, he came under fire for wishing Rulani Mokwena a happy birthday with a picture from his time at Orlando Pirates, which some fans interpreted as a sign of disconnect from his current club. Additionally, there were reports last season about his late-night activities while allegedly dealing with an injury, further adding to the controversy surrounding him.
Despite these challenges, Lorch has enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle in the wake of his transfer to Sundowns, a club known for its financial muscle and successful history. Whether he will be able to regain his place in the starting lineup and prove his worth to the Sundowns faithful remains to be seen. But for now, his future at the club seems uncertain, and the latest social media incident is likely to intensify the scrutiny around his time at Masandawana.
