Orlando Pirates News Today: Lorch snubbed! Bucs or Sundowns? Mokwena responds, & more…

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Orlando Pirates News Today: Lorch snubbed! Bucs or Sundowns? Mokwena responds, & more…

The latest Orlando Pirates in the last 24 hours, including Thembinkosi Lorch’s situation at Al-Ittihad, Rulani Mokwena opens up ahead of MTN8 final, and more.

Orlando Pirates latest news

Lorch snubbed?

It is now reported that Al-Ittihad SC coach Faouzi Benzarti has dropped ex-Orlando Pirates winger Thembinkosi Lorch from his plans, deeming the South African star surplus to requirements.

According to Erem News, Tunisian coach Benzarti has left Lorch out of his plans ahead of the start of the 2026/27 Libyan Premier League season. The report claims that Benzarti assessed his players during pre-season and decided that Lorch, along with a few others, could leave the club.

It is also noted that the high-profile arrival of former Morocco international winger Sofiane Boufal has further complicated matters for Lorch, as the two players operate in similar roles.

Also, the Libyan Premier League only allows seven foreign players to be registered per team, and Lorch is the foreigner he has decided to omit from his squad. The 33-year-old joined Al-Ittihad in February 2026 from Wydad Athletic Club, who are now reportedly keen to bring the player back.

According to AfricaFoot, Wydad face competition for their former winger from Moroccan rivals MAS Fes.

Thembinkosi Lorch celebrates his debut goal for Al-Ittihad.
Thembinkosi Lorch celebrates his debut goal for Al-Ittihad. Photo – Al-Ittihad

The report indicates that MAS Fes were in contact with Lorch’s representatives a few months ago and are now hoping to reach an agreement with the former Orlando Pirates attacker so that he can sign a pre-contract, paving the way for his arrival in January 2027.

It is also reported that Lorch vowed not to play for another Moroccan club when he left the Casablanca side in February this year. However, MAS Fes are believed to be more persistent in their efforts to secure Lorch’s signature.

Sundowns or Pirates? Mokwena opens up

Pyramids FC coach Rulani Mokwena has spoken about his divided loyalties ahead of Saturday’s MTN8 final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

Interestingly, Mokwena coached both clubs before embarking on his journey through North African football, which has taken him to Morocco, Algeria, Libya and now Egypt. Mokwena is eagerly anticipating the final, backing the two well-coached sides to deliver an entertaining contest. He expects a match of exceptional technical quality.

“It’s very difficult for me to decide who I think will win, but I’ll be very happy at the end, for sure,” Mokwena told SAFJA members.

“At the end of the game, I’ll be very happy because if Sundowns win, I would be very, very happy. And if Orlando Pirates win, I will be very, very happy too.”

While his affection for both clubs remains strong, Mokwena made it clear that sentiment disappears when he faces them from the opposing bench.

“The only time I don’t want Pirates or Sundowns to win is when I’m sitting, and I’m competing on the opposite bench. That’s the only time.

“When I was at Pirates, I wanted to win every time against Sundowns, even though I am a Sundowns fan. When I was at Sundowns, when we played Pirates, I wanted to win every time we played against them, even though I’m an Orlando Pirates fan.

Rulani Mokwena
Rulani Mokwena at MC Alger. Image: MC Alger

“I’m a big Mamelodi Sundowns fan too. I love the club. I’m very grateful for what the club and Dr Patrice [Motsepe] and the chairman have done to help me be the coach that I am.”

Meanwhile, Mokwena believes fans have reason to anticipate a high-level encounter.

“I look forward to it, and I think the public will be exposed to a very high level technically. We see the national team [Bafana] is dominated by both teams; this is where the cream of the crop is. It is not by chance that there are so many players (in Bafana) from Pirates and Sundowns.”

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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