Lorch: 'Without my team-mates I wouldn't be here'

Cape Town - Orlando Pirates attacker Thembinkosi Lorch has thanked his team-mates after being crowned as the Footballer of the Season at the PSL awards on Sunday.

The 25-year-old scooped the two major individual awards after also being named as the Player's Player of the Season at a glittering ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Durban.

Lorch walked away with R450 000 in prize money with Mamelodi Sundowns tactician Pitso Mosimane picking up the other major award after being named the Coach of the Season.

"I'm happy, I'm really really happy," Lorch said. "Firstly I'd like to thank the man above for giving me the talent.

"I would like to thank the chairperson of Orlando Pirates for taking care of us. I'd like to thank our coaches, coach Micho, Rhulani and Fadlu for improving us as players. I'd also like to thank my team-mates because if it wasn't for them then I wouldn't be here."

The Bafana Bafana international pipped Mamelodi Sundowns' Hlompho Kekana and Themba Zwane to both awards despite Pirates finishing as runners-up in the league behind Sundowns for the second successive season.

ALL THE WINNERS:

Footballer of the Season: Thembinkosi Lorch  (Orlando Pirates)

Absa Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season: Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United)

Absa Premiership Defender of the Season: Ricardo Nacimento (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Absa Premiership Midfielder of the Season: Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Absa Premiership Young player of the Season: Teboho Mokoena (SuperSport United)

Absa Premiership Players’ Player of the Season: Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates)

Absa Premiership Coach of the Season: Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

MTN8 Last man standing: Peter Leeuwenburgh (Cape Town City)

Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament: Elvis Chipezeze (Baroka FC)

Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament: Zakhele Lepasa (TS Galaxy)

Nedbank Most promising player: Terrence Mashego (TS Galaxy)

Multichoice Diski Challenge Player of the Tournament: Sipho Chaine (Bloemfontein Celtic)

Diski Shield Player of the Tournament: Siboniso Conco (Golden Arrows)

Absa Premiership Goal of the Season: Vincent Pule (Orlando Pirates) vs Polokwane City

Referee of the Season: Abongile Tom

Assistant Referee of the Season: Emmanuel de Sani