Rulani Mokwena believes Thembinkosi Lorch and Cassius Mailula might not return to South Africa after this season as they have attracted interest from other clubs.
Mokwena offered both players a lifeline at Wydad Athletic Club when he signed Lorch on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns in January while Mailula was brought in on similar terms from MLS side FC Toronto for the entire season.
The two players had been surplus to requirements at their clubs as they were not getting game time but having worked with both when he was coach of Sundowns, Mokwena offered them a chance to revive their careers at the Moroccan club.
Mokwena has explained why he signed the duo
“I knew I can rely on Cassius and I knew I can rely on Lorch but a lot of things have to work in your favour,” Mokwena said on SuperSport TV.
“Cassius for example was frozen out of Toronto and he was not in the plans of the club and Lorch was in a similar situation.
“In fact, we were offered quite a few other [South African] players but because I did not want it to be that situation of Rulani is poaching players from this and that club, but the players were made available and I found that we could utilise and help them also.”
The two blossomed under Mokwena, reviving their careers, with Lorch featuring in 14 games since signing in the midseason and scoring two goals as well as providing one assist while Mailula has five goals and seven assists in 33 games in 2024-25.
What does the future hold for Lorch & Mailula?
To add onto that, Lorch and Mailula were awarded Player of the Month awards at Wydad in March and February respectively and Mokwena says their impressive performances have caught the eyes of a number of clubs who are ready to pounce in case Wydad do not tie them to new deals.
“Very stable,” Mokwena said when asked what the futures of the two players are like now that he is no longer the coach of Wydad.
“If not with Wydad, then some other clubs. Cassius already getting a lot of big offers even while I was there, we would talk about it. Very good kid, very open. Lorch might also not come back to South Africa,” said the 38-year-old tactician.
Both Lorch and Mailula are part of the Wydad squad headed to the United States for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, after which their futures will be decided, but reports in Morocco have claimed that the club is keen to retain both of them.
