Mamelodi Sundowns coach reacts to Thembinkosi Lorch viral party video

In the video, the player appears intoxicated while dancing with two women and recording himself live on Instagram – apparently the night after they were officially crowned DStv Premiership champions at the weekend. 

Mokwena says he felt let down by Lorch's behaviour.

"Well, he phoned me and he was in tears – and that broke me, for sure, because I'm close to my players – when my players are crying and are emotional, I get emotional and I cry and feel their pain too," said Mokwena.

"But I don't want to talk too much about the issue, except to say that I am extremely disappointed because I have said that to him on the phone.

"And the rest of what we will discuss and say will be in person, particularly because my biggest disappointment is the going live. 

"I've seen Phil Foden, I've seen some of the best players enjoy themselves and celebrate their title successes, but we also understand the role we hold in society, that says, ours is to inspire, educate, and serve – we've got a bigger role than just what people think."

Lorch is now unlikely to feature when Sundowns face his ex-club Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. 

Mokwena argued that the 30-year-old, who made a shock move to Sundowns in January, is meant to be a role model in society. 

"Part to a footballer's career is not just looking after your talent, but it's looking after your career, and that means managing all the other stuff that is around the career," he added.

"That's the diet, rest, nutrition – there's so much more than just attending training every single day, and doing your best."

READ: Mokwena explains Gaston Sirino's Sundowns absence