Orlando Pirates star Thembinkosi Lorch has revealed he feels he is ready to deliver the goods for Bafana Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Lorch has not been used at all by coach Stuart Baxter but he may come into the reckoning for Saturday’s Round of 16 tie against hosts Egypt due to Themba Zwane’s suspension.
Despite being the PSL’s Footballer of the Season, the 25-year-old has not been selected by Baxter to date despite the fact that just one goal has so far been scored in the tournament which came in the 1-0 Group D victory over Namibia.
He told reporters: “Things like this happen in football. You just have to be strong and wait for your chance and when the chance comes you just have to use it.
“I think I’m ready. I know it’s been a long time for me not playing, but I am ready to deliver when I get a chance. I’d say my fitness [has been affected] because of not playing, but by confidence is still there. I always have confidence. I just have to wait for my chance to play.
“It has been a good tournament so far and I am happy to be part of this team. I’ve learnt so many things and I think when I get back to my team my confidence will be higher, so yeah, it’s been a good tournament.
“I’ve learnt to see how other people from overseas are playing, the likes of Bongani (Zungu), Thulani (Serero)…the experience of being in the team.”
Bafana will take on the Pharaohs at the Cairo International Stadium in Egypt’s capital.