Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi was full of praise for star Thembinkosi Lorch after his return from injury for his first appearance of the season.

The 28-year-old made his long-awaited return from injury during Pirates’ 1-1 draw with Amazulu as a second-half substitute for Collins Makgaka after missing the first 13 league games of the season.

Upon his return, the former Player of the Year wasted no time in making an impact and nearly found himself on the scoresheet as he played a commanding role in their stalemate with Benni McCarthy’s side on Wednesday evening.

Ncikazi praised the attacker, despite only coming on late in the second half, as he hopes Lorch can pick up form to end the Buccaneers struggles in the final third.

“You could just see when he came in he’s a special player,” Ncikazi told SuperSport TV after the game.

“I’m just happy he’s back. His first game after a long time. There’s no shop that sells quality. He’s just top quality. I just hope we grow from this and be better.”

The Bucs mentor then suggested his players are letting the pressure of finding the back of the net get to them and called for calmness.

“We have to start scoring. We have to work on it. We have to give the players the belief and the support. If they play like this coaches can’t blame them. We just have to try help them and work on the deficiencies that we have in the attacking third. Take the opportunities. Be calm. And be composed. And don’t have pressure. I feel there’s a bit of pressure they have subconsciously, which is resulting in what is happening right now,” he said, before adding:

“Highly excited [about his return]. You just see the quality in the first pass, an assist to Hotto on top [and] maybe the final miss at the end, but the important thing was him getting there.

“Lorch is quality, and I am confident that if he plays like this for his first game after such a long time being injured, it is all positive. I just wish he grows from here and assists the team on what is missing the most, which is just goals. We are playing beautiful football, maybe you just need a Lorch to finish the product and terminate the attacks.”