Thembinkosi Lorch

Career Thembinkosi Lorch nicknamed "Nyoso" started his career at Katlehong Young Stars based at QwaQwa before joining Maluti FET College. And after a game against Jomo Cosmos, got a call from Screamer Tshabalala who told him that Orlando Pirates were interested in him. His first PSL game was against Free State Stars. He later played for NFD outfit Cape Town All Stars on loan from Orlando Pirates in the 2015–16 season. He was also loaned out to Chippa United in the 2016–17. In January 2024, he signed for Mamelodi Sundowns, before joining Moroccan side Wydad AC on loan in February 2025. In August 2025,Lorch was announced officially as Wydad AC player after his impressive performance at the FIFA Club World Cup where he even scored a goal.

Personal life DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small's 2019 song, titled Lorch, was inspired by and named after him, following a stellar season he enjoyed with Orlando Pirates

In the early morning of 7 September 2020, Lorch was arrested for allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend, Nokuphiwa Mathithibala. This came after she had opened a case of assault against him at Midrand Police station indicating that Lorch had strangled her after she had asked about his whereabouts. In January 2021, the assault case was provisionally withdrawn with the prosecutor instructing police to investigate further.

Lorch briefly dated actress Natasha Thahane from June to September 2021, with whom he allegedly shares a son.

Career statistics

Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Lorch goal.

+ List of international goals scored by Thembinkosi Lorch No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 6 July 2019 Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt 1–0 1–0 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

Honours Orlando Pirates Nedbank Cup: 2022–23 MTN 8: 2020, 2022, 2023 CAF Confederation Cup runner-up: 2021–22

Mamelodi Sundowns South African Premiership: 2023–24

Individual PSL Footballer of the Year: 2018–19 PSL Player of the Season: 2018–19 PSL Players' Player of the Season: 2018–19