Latest news with #ThembinkosiLorch
The South African
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Mamelodi Sundowns to sell fan-favourite to North African giants?
Mamelodi Sundowns are set to sell Thembinkosi Lorch to Wydad Casablanca following his successful loan spell at the club. The 31-year-old winger made a total of 17 appearances for Wydad across all competitions since joining the club on loan from Downs. He was one of the club's best players at the FIFA Club World Cup, which is ongoing. According to reports, Sundowns are looking to sell Lorch after just 18 months at the club. 'Wydad Athletic Club are now reported to have finally reached an agreement to sign Thembinkosi Lorch on a permanent deal,' a KickOff report citing Al-Mountakhab read. 'Moroccan newspaper Al-Mountakhab now claims that Wydad have reached an agreement with Sundowns over the permanent transfer of Lorch. According to the Arabic outlet, His agent is said to have been in Morocco to finalise the deal.' Nyoso has never really settled at Downs since his high-profile move from Orlando Pirates in 2024. With Rulani Mokwena having left The Brazilians in July last year, Lorch's place in the team was always going to be threatened, given the galaxy of stars at the club. From the looks of things, Sundowns will be happy to sell Lorch in the coming weeks. So far, Masandawana have already parted ways with five players but are yet to make any signings. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Sundowns reach deal to sell Mzansi's beloved superstar!
Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Athletic Club have reportedly reached an agreement over the permanent signature of Thembinkosi Lorch. Lorch joined the Moroccan giants at the beginning of the year on a six-month loan deal. At the time, Rulani Mokwena was in charge of the Botola Pro club. However, following his departure from the club, many believed Lorch's time in Morocco was also up. That wasn't to be the case, with Lorch actually coming to the fore for Wydad after Mokwena's departure. READ MORE • Orlando Pirates cut ties with fan-favourite worth R14.5 million! READ MORE • Orlando Pirates transfer news: Bucs pushing to sign Bafana man! According to the latest transfer gossip, Mamelodi Sundowns have reached a deal to sell Thembinkosi Lorch to Wydad Athletic Club. Lorch made 17 appearances for Wydad across all competitions since joining the club. This includes three promising performances at the recently concluded Fifa Club World Cup! 'Wydad Athletic Club are now reported to have finally reached an agreement to sign Thembinkosi Lorch on a permanent deal,' a KickOff report citing Al-Mountakhab read. 'Moroccan newspaper Al-Mountakhab now claims that Wydad have reached an agreement with Sundowns over the permanent transfer of Lorch. According to the Arabic outlet, His agent is said to have been in Morocco to finalise the deal.' Lorch joined Mamelodi Sundowns back in 2024 following a lengthy spell at rivals Orlando Pirates. In total, the talented winger made 26 appearances for the Brazilians, scoring seven goals while assisting four more. READ MORE • Orlando Pirates plotting R10 million offer for marquee signing! What did you make of Thembinkosi Lorch's spell at Mamelodi Sundowns? Was it a good move to leave Orlando Pirates at the time? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. You can also follow @ TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
Morocco World
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Wydad Close to Permanent Deal for Thembinkosi Lorch
Wydad Casablanca is set to sign South African winger Thembinkosi Lorch permanently, following his strong performance during the FIFA Club World Cup. Lorch, 31, moved to Wydad on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns during the January transfer window. The deal included a $500,000 option to buy, but Sundowns have since doubled the value to reach one million dollars after his impressive performances in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The winger made 16 appearances for Wydad during last season, scoring three goals: two goals in Botola Pro and the third one in the Club World Cup. With fellow Sundowns loanee Cassius Mailula not retained over financial concerns, Wydad are pushing to keep Lorch, despite ongoing budget constraints. The proposed move has stirred debate among supporters, with some raising concerns over the cost and the player's age. 'If the club signs Lorch for two years, he'll be 33—how effective can a winger be at that age?' one fan wrote on Facebook. Another added: 'If the transfer fee is €1 million, what kind of wages will they be offering him?'
The Star
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Chiefs unveil new signings-but big guns still missing
KAIZER Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jnr. and football manager Bobby Motuang unveil Durban-born attacking midfielder Ethan Chislett. | Image: Kaizer Chiefs are all set to take on their European pre-season tour, with the Netherlands confirmed as their trusted destination—a trip they hope will spark the beginning of a turnaround after two difficult seasons and a tough past decade. While neighbors Orlando Pirates continue to enjoy their limited success, the footballing rivalry between the two Soweto giants has become unbalanced. Pirates have followed up an impressive showing last season with a couple of top-class signings, showing clear ambition. Chiefs, on the other hand, continue to tread carefully, as usual—avoiding panic, even though their recent results suggest that a little urgency may be long overdue. On Tuesday the Glamour Boys unveiled former AFC Wimbledon and Port Vale midfielder Ethan Chislett, Potugese striker Flavio Silva and left back Nkanyiso Shinga ahead of their tour. Amakhosi have uncharacteristically missed out on a top-eight finish in each of the last two seasons, making them fully guilty of failing to add intensity to the fierce battle that Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates brought last season. As one of South Africa's "Big Three", they have fallen behind the pace. Both Soweto clubs have allowed the Pretoria powerhouse to dominate unchallenged, with Sundowns having claimed the league title for the past eight consecutive seasons. It's hard to see how they'll be stopped—especially as Pirates seem to be building something solid with youth and quality new recruits. As for the Glamour Boys, it's not quite clear where they are headed but the hope will be that the new signings will bring a fresh new energy into the squad. But with that said, It has become increasingly evident that to compete with the best, they will need a lot more quality on the pitch, and here we will outline three other top players Amakhosi should go all out to sign to add to their new signings. Thembinkosi Lorch Wydad AC footballer Thembinkosi Lorch in action against Juventus at the FIFA Club World Cup. Image: Supplied The former Orlando Pirates playmaker was deemed surplus to requirements by Sundowns, but fortunately for him, former boss Rhulani Mokwena still saw value in him and arranged a loan move to Wydad Athletic Club in Morocco. His quality is undeniable, and it didn't take him long to recapture some of his best form. Lorch has become a key figure for the North African giants and was one of their standout performers during the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup. This could be the ideal time for Chiefs to secure his services. He would bring not just technical ability, but also a big personality—something Amakhosi have sorely lacked in recent seasons. Peter Shalulile MAMELODI Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile. | BackpagePix Image: BACKPAGEPIX The Sundowns striker has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of Miguel Cardoso and Iqraam Rayners. With his reputation as a deadly finisher, Shalulile would be a game-changer for a Chiefs side that scored only 25 goals in 28 matches last season. He has been South Africa's top striker over the last decade. While age may not be on his side, his numbers speak for themselves. He's never been one to sit on the bench, and his hunger for goals could breathe new energy into a Chiefs attack that has looked lifeless for far too long. Oswin Appollis Oswin Appollis of Polokwane City. Image: Backpagepix
IOL News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mokwana, Mailula, Lorch step up as Africa falls short on global stage
Wydad AC footballer Thembinkosi Lorch in action against Juventus at the FIFA Club World Cup. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup arrived with much promise for African football, particularly for South Africa as Mamelodi Sundowns carried the hopes of the nation onto the global stage. Alongside them stood continental heavyweights Al Ahly, Wydad Athletic Club, and Esperance de Tunis — four clubs that have dominated African football over the past decade. However, the group stage brought a harsh reality. None of the four African sides progressed to the round of 16, and while there were moments of quality, the early exits laid bare the concerning gap between Africa's best and the rest of the world. It was a tournament that underlined how far African clubs still have to go to match their counterparts in Europe, South America, and parts of Asia. Yet within the overall disappointment, there were bright sparks — none more so than Sundowns. The Premiership champions stood out as the most competitive African side, finishing with four points from their three matches. A thrilling 4-3 loss against Borussia Dortmund, a hard-fought 1-0 win over HD Ulsan, and a resilient goalless stalemate against Brazilian giants Fluminense left them agonisingly short of progression. Still, their performances did more than earn respect — they proved that they have matured into a club capable of standing toe-to-toe with the game's elite. Their showing was not just about results; it was a statement of growth. Years of investment, sound football management, and a focus on developing local and continental talent have made them a standard bearer for African football. For South Africa, the tournament also offered a positive subplot. Several Bafana Bafana players gained vital experience on the global stage — something national coach Hugo Broos will be keen to build on ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Elias Mokwana
