Orlando Pirates’ Changeroom documentary has left fans in shock and disbelief after it revealed that former Pirates teammates Deon Hotto and Thembinkosi “Nyoso” Lorch are embroiled in a feud, that was not mended even after Lorch moved to rivals Mamelodi Sundowns. Both players were key attackers for the Buccaneers and they have been pivotal in the team’s successes. However, it turns out the “perfect duo” weren’t exactly best buds.
Hotto vs Lorch: Where the Bitter Rivalry Began
According to players in the club, Lorch wasn’t exactly thrilled with Deon Hotto’s playing time and wasn’t a huge fan of being glued to the bench while Hotto racked up minutes all over the field. Things got so bad that Lorch allegedly vented to his inner circle, bad-mouthing Hotto. As big as the club is, big news also travels fast, Hotto eventually caught wind of this negativity. Talk about awkward locker room moments!
Paseka Mako spills the tea, revealing a tense encounter where Hotto greeted Lorch and his buddies, only to be met with frosty silence. Hotto, ever the peacemaker, tried to clear the air, but Lorch shut him down cold, blatantly telling him to never talk to him ever again. Mako also emphasised how the beef affected the team negatively. He added that Lorch wasn’t the only villain in bad-mouthing Hotto but others (he won’t mention) were also not happy with Hotto getting game time all the time.
Peacemaker Hotto sacrifices himself to end beef
Feeling the tension, Hotto even requested substitutions around the 60th minute in winning games, hoping to avoid any on-field clashes with Lorch. Hotto mentioned that he would question the coach’s decision to put him in the game but as a versatile player, he had to obey the rules. According to Mako, Hotto continued to make efforts to squash the beef, however, Lorch wasn’t having it up until he left Orlando Pirates. This, however, also leaves room for questions as Lorch was not part of the club when the documentary was made to defend himself. Whether Lorch left for not getting game time or got tired of playing for the badge at Orlando Pirates, one thing is for sure, this feud definitely leaves a mark on their former partnership.
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