Many fans were left scratching their heads over the weekend after Thembinkosi Lorch turned out for Wydad AC just days after being officially unveiled by Libyan giants Al Ittihad.
Lorch was presented by Al Ittihad in Tripoli last week alongside Burkinabé midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki. However, despite the high-profile announcement, the former Orlando Pirates star was named on Wydad’s bench for their CAF Confederation Cup clash against Maniema Union on Sunday night.
The South African playmaker came on in the 65th minute, replacing Hamza El Wasti, as Wydad edged to a 1–0 win at the Stade Mohammed V.
According to FARPost, Lorch’s appearance was made possible by a special agreement between the two North African clubs. Although he has already signed for Al Ittihad and is officially their player, both sides agreed that he would remain with Wydad for two CAF Confederation Cup fixtures before completing his permanent move to Libya.
As a result, Lorch could still make one final appearance for the Red Castle in the return leg against Maniema Union in the Democratic Republic of Congo this coming Sunday. He would then travel to Libya immediately afterwards to begin the next chapter of his career.
“If the coaches feel they still need him for Sunday, he could stay on. We should know this week whether they want him for the away game in the DRC,” a source told FARPost.