Hotto: I Have No Relationship With Lorch
Orlando Pirates winger-turned-left-back Deon Hotto has denied any ongoing issues with former teammate Thembinkosi Lorch but expressed openness to resolving past differences.
Hotto’s comments come after the revelation of tensions between the two players during the Orlando Pirates “Changing Room” documentary that was aired on SuperSport TV. Hotto accused Lorch of being unhappy with his playing time, sparking criticism of Lorch from Pirates fans. The midfielder subsequently joined Mamelodi Sundowns in January.
Hotto was unavailable to address the situation at the time due to his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations with Namibia.
Meanwhile, Lorch has continued to face injury and off-field challenges with Sundowns, including an Instagram Live incident involving intoxicated women that drew criticism from former coach Rulani Mokwena and Sundowns fans.
Reports also suggested that Sundowns sporting director Flemming Berg opposed Lorch’s move to Sundowns due to the player’s age, contributing to tensions between Berg and Mokwena.
When asked about the matter during the Pirates kit launch on Monday, Hotto clarified, “There is no relationship between me and him because he’s not here anymore,” he said.
“Actually, I had to settle this with him but it was at the time when the league was on the break, so I went to the national team for the AFCON finals and while I was away and still that side (in Ivory Coast), I also heard that he left.
“So, we haven’t actually met or sit down.”
Hotto also provided insight into the arguments they faced behind the scenes. “These are things that happens behind the scenes, so not everyone knows these things. But everybody knows now what happened and what is actually happening most of the time behind scenes.
“So, it is not actually all about good stuff you see from us there, but there is a lot of fights we have in a changing room, trainings. It is just an open eye also just for people to know that it’s not that you come to training, train, go home, come match day, play, go home, we have fights also. So, it is just like in any company.”
Despite the past issues, Hotto remains open to reconciliation with Lorch, stating, “Definitely, I will,” said Hotto.
