Orlando Pirates winger Thembinkosi Lorch says he was delighted with his individual performance, following their 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday

The 23-year old received the Man of the Match award for his impressive performance against Amakhosi, after his deflect strike at goal cancelled out Joseph Molangoane’s 16th-minute opener.

Lorch says he was pleased with his and his side’s performance during the match, and he admits that he is delighted not to have been caught up in the hype of the match.

‘I am very happy with how I played,’ Lorch told the Orlando Pirates website.

‘The derby is a big occasion and it’s easy to get lost in the hype and history behind it and freeze, but fortunately I didn’t experience any of that.

‘I wanted to keep things simple and do what I was expected to do….there was no need to complicate things.’

The South African U23 international expressed his delight to have marked his maiden Soweto Derby with a Man of the Match award, but he insists that he would trade in his individual award if it meant his side could have walked away with all three points.

‘Look, if I had the choice to swap my award with three points I would, but be as it may, I am very delighted to have been voted Man of the Match,’ he added.

‘This is special for me as it’s my first in Pirates colours and secondly, it’s in the biggest match on the SA calendar – the Soweto Derby. I look to build on this performance and try to help the team in the upcoming matches.’

Orlando Pirates will now welcome SuperSport United to the Orlando Stadium when the two sides meet in the Absa Premiership on Tuesday.

Kick-off has been scheduled for 19:30.

Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix