South African international Thembinkosi Lorch has said his final goodbye to Moroccan giants Wydad AC ahead of his move to Libyan powerhouse.
The experienced attacker joins the Libyan outfit on a permanent deal following an outstanding performance for the Moroccan side. Lorch’s move to Libya is said to be a lucrative deal, which could not be turn down by Wydad AC.
The move was finalized last week but a club to club agreement allowed Lorch to feature in Wydad AC’s two games before departing the club.
Lorch has, however, has spoken fondly of his time in Casablanca as his move to Al Ittihad is confirmed.
“First of all I’d like to thank the president of the team for bringing me here,” he said. “And I would like to thank the technical team, the coach and my teammates for welcoming me into this team. I wish them well.
“Like I said, I would like to thank this team for giving me the opportunity to play – not everyone is getting the opportunity to play for a big team like Wydad. I will take opportunity until I retire, and I wish the team good luck.”
Lorch rose from humble beginnings to become one of the continent’s most electrifying footballers. Born on 22 July 1993, Lorch’s journey into professional soccer began at Maluti FET College, where his talent for dribbling, flair, and creativity first began to turn heads.
His professional breakthrough came when he joined Orlando Pirates in 2015. Despite initial loan spells at Cape Town All Stars and Chippa United, it was with the Pirates that Lorch truly found his stride. Known for his explosive pace, inventive attacking play, and uncanny ability to change the course of a game, he became a fan favorite and a nightmare for defenders across the South African Premier Division (PSL). His performances earned him the PSL Footballer of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards in 2019, cementing his status as one of South Africa’s elite players.
Lorch’s talent soon attracted international attention. He had a brief stint with Mamelodi Sundowns, but it was his move to Wydad AC in Morocco in 2025 that showcased his abilities on a bigger stage. In the Moroccan top flight, Lorch became a key figure for the club, scoring crucial goals and setting up teammates with his trademark vision and skill. His performances even caught the eye of scouts beyond Africa, eventually leading to a record-breaking transfer to Al-Ittihad SC in Libya in early 2026.
On the international stage, Lorch has represented South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, earning nine caps and scoring once. While his national team appearances were limited, his impact in domestic and continental club football has been profound.
