Kaizer Chiefs will not be signing Thembinkosi Lorch, despite recent speculation linking the former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns attacker with a move to Amakhosi.
Lorch’s appearance at the recent Chiefs-Sundowns match sparked fresh transfer rumours, with reports suggesting that the 33-year-old could be considering a return to the Premier Soccer League.
However, those hopes now appear to have been dashed.
Why Lorch won’t be joining Chiefs
According to information cited by The South African, Lorch was in South Africa temporarily and has since returned to Libya.
There are reportedly two major factors working against a move to Naturena: his salary demands and his age.
Sources close to the situation reportedly believe Lorch’s current financial package would make a Chiefs deal difficult, while the club is also reluctant to commit heavily to a player who is already in his 30s.
Lorch is currently contracted to Al-Ittihad Tripoli, having joined the Libyan club after being recruited by former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena.
With Mokwena now at Egyptian club Pyramids FC, Lorch’s future in Libya could potentially change.
Morocco could be Lorch’s next destination
While a return to the PSL appears unlikely for now, Lorch may still have options elsewhere in Africa.
Moroccan clubs Wydad Athletic Club and MAS Fes have reportedly shown interest in the experienced attacker.
That could see Lorch remain outside South Africa as he considers the next chapter of his career.
A move to Chiefs would have made him one of the select players to represent all three of South Africa’s traditional giants — Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.
For now, however, that possibility appears to be off the table.
Lorch’s career numbers
Lorch established himself as a professional footballer after joining Orlando Pirates from Maluti FET College.
He subsequently represented Pirates, Sundowns and Chippa United before continuing his career abroad.
According to the figures provided in the original report, Lorch has made 258 competitive appearances, scoring 53 goals and registering 42 assists.
At international level, he earned nine Bafana Bafana caps and scored once, finding the net against Egypt at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
For Chiefs supporters hoping to see the popular attacker at Naturena, the message is clear: Lorch is not joining Amakhosi — at least for now.
