Former teammate Jackson Mabokgwane is not the least bit surprised by
Thembinkosi Lorch’s impressive career resurgence with Wydad Casablanca,
citing the player’s long-proven resilience in the face of adversity.
Lorch has made a strong start to the new season in Morocco, notching two
goals and an assist in four matches since making his move from Mamelodi
Sundowns permanent. This revival comes after a difficult period where he saw
limited playing time, and his performances have even sparked calls for a
Bafana Bafana recall.
For Mabokgwane, this bounce-back is classic Lorch. He points to a defining
moment during their time together at Orlando Pirates as the ultimate proof
of the player’s character.
“Lorch has always had a strong personality,” Mabokgwane told Soccer Laduma.
“I remember when he missed the deciding penalty against Baroka in the Telkom
Knockout final, and we lost. He couldn’t stop crying after the match… I
even ended up thinking we’ve lost the best of him. That’s how shattered he
was.”
However, Lorch’s response was immediate and emphatic. “The very next match,
we got a penalty and he went up to take it and he scored,” Mabokgwane
recalled. “A season or two later, he went on to score the winner from the
penalty against me when Pirates beat us (Bloemfontein Celtic) in the (2019)
MTN8 final. So, he’s someone who never allows setbacks to put him down.”
Mabokgwane credits Lorch’s support system, including his parents and
manager, for helping him navigate challenges, but the core strength, he
insists, comes from within.
Now, as Lorch shines on a new continent, Mabokgwane has high hopes for his
friend’s future. “I am very happy to see him doing as well as he’s done… I
hope ‘Nyoso’ goes on to bigger leagues and maybe even a Bafana return, why
not?”
At 32, and with his formidable mental fortitude, Lorch’s career is a
testament that his latest success is not a fluke, but a pattern.
