Latest news with #Lorch
IOL News
15 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
A reflection of GBV within the sporting landscape
Where is the accountability? Former Orlando Pirates attacker Thembinkosi Lorch was found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend two years ago. Picture: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix Image: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. After he served his two-week suspension, he resumed his career and earned a big-money move to Mamelodi Sundowns, where he won the league title during the 2023/24 season. He then moved to Wydad Casablanca. Currently, he's preparing to represent the Moroccan giants at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, which kicked off in Miami this Sunday morning. It seems that Lorch is off the hook, and his assault on his then-girlfriend has now been forgotten. Other footballers have been accused in the past, but charges were either not opened or their cases never made it to court. In a country where 33.1% of women aged 18 and older have endured physical violence in their lifetime, according to a report by the Human Sciences Research Council, sweeping Lorch's past transgressions under the rug paints a picture that the scourge of GBVF is not important. The Human Sciences Research Council report revealed that 33.1% of women aged 18 and older – amounting to over 7.8 million women – have endured physical violence in their lifetime. A fresh incident in everyone's mind is that of Manchester United player, Mason Greenwood. The forward was accused of raping and assaulting a woman. Image: AFP A fresh incident in everyone's mind is that of Manchester United player, Mason Greenwood. The forward was accused of raping and assaulting a woman. He was arrested in January 2022 after a video and images went viral. In 2023, BBC reported that the charges were dropped. According to SABC Sport, Greenwood has "revitalised his career in Ligue 1." Another soccer player, Thamsanqa Gabuza was arrested for allegedly trying to force himself on his then girlfriend. The former TS Galaxy player appeared in court and was granted Times reported that he has since moved to AmaTuks. Thamsanqa Gabuza was arrested for allegedly trying to force himself on his then girlfriend. Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Dr Zubeda Dangor, of The Nisaa Institute for Women's Development, says it's important for clubs to publicly condemn gender-based violence and femicide and make it clear that such behaviour is not tolerated. Dangor feels that while there has been progress in condemning GBVF in sport, more could be done to promote gender equality and prevent GBVF. She urged clubs to develop clear policies, provide education, and collaborate with experts. 'Sports clubs and organisations should collaborate with experts, including GBVF specialists, law enforcement, and healthcare providers, to ensure effective response and support for survivors.' The three biggest clubs in South Africa were approached for comment, and to find out what measures were in place to combat GBV in South Africa. Only Kaizer Chiefs replied and said they would need until the end of the month to respond to IOL. What Dangor would love to see is clubs using their platforms to raise awareness and shift public attitudes towards GBV. She said social media campaigns can be used to share educational content, personal stories, and resources related to GBVF. 'By leveraging their platforms, sports clubs can play a significant role in raising awareness, shifting public attitudes, challenging myths, and supporting existing GBVF services,' she said. IOL
The South African
a day ago
- Sport
- The South African
Thembinkosi Lorch to return to Orlando Pirates under Rulani?
Wydad Casablanca winger Thembinkosi Lorch could return to Orlando Pirates if Rulani Mokwena takes over as head coach. Mokwena is in pole position to take over from Jose Riveiro as Bucs coach after the Spaniard left for Al Ahly last month. Lorch joined Mokwena at Wydad but the 38-year-old coach's time in Morocco was cut short after the club decided to terminate his contract. Lorch and Rulani worked at Orlando Pirates briefly in 2019 before the 31-year-old former Bafana Bafana star rejoined the Soweto born coach at Mamelodi Sundowns five years later. 'Lorch has the talent, and we all know that,' Mokwena told iDiski Times . 'He's a player I like a lot for the final third because he has a lot of weapons. When he's at his best, he influences the result'. 'His adaptation has been gradual. I think he should be scoring more, and I told him this. We worked on certain movements and situations, and he knows how to finish and find the spaces around the box.' Although Mokwena has not touched much on his potential return to Pirates, he admitted he would be open to join the Soweto giants. Regarding Lorch, the ex-Downs coach highlighted the winger's weakness. 'The legs don't allow for movements from deeper areas that then place greater physical demands on making movements towards the box. This is why he needs to be a bit more patient in movement, receiving the ball, and arriving in spaces than earlier in his career,' Mokwena explained. 'In recent friendlies, Wydad's adjustments are evident—more structured in a mid- to low block without possession, and him having to defend the wide channel on the left makes him play further away from the box because he has to defend closer to [Ayoub] Boucheta in this role and assist [El Mehdi] Moubarik and [Mickael] Malsa or [Ismail] Moutaraji in protecting the left half space and extending the midfield line to protect zone 14,' he said. Lorch returning to Orlando Pirates might happen if Mokwena takes over. The 38-year-old coach is a big fan of Nyoso. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Lorch, Mailula and Mokwana ready to hoist the SA flag at Fifa Club World Cup
Thembinkosi Lorch in action for Wydad Casablanca, where his stand-out performances in March earned him the Player of the Month award. Photo: Instagram/@WACofficiel Image: Instagram/@WACofficiel The FIFA Club World Cup is the ultimate tournament for interclub football as it is played by the best teams from across the world. South Africa will be well represented in the upcoming event in the US after Mamelodi Sundowns' qualification. However, there'll be other South African representatives from two other African giants, Wydad Casablanca and Esperance, who'll be competing at the event. Thembinkosi Lorch - Wydad Casablanca Lorch has grabbed the lifeline that was offered to him by Wydad with both hands as he's put his best foot forward since he arrived at the club last season. He was not able to help the team finish in the Top 2 on the log and qualify for the Champions League next season as they could only claim a Confederation Cup spot. Nevertheless, he had a memorable season, so much so that he was voted as the club's Player of the Month for March. Having been brought to the club by native coach Rulani Mokwena through a loan deal from Mameodi Sundowns, the duo showed great belief in each other. As such, when Mokwena was sacked towards the end of the season, the future and impressive outing of Lorch at the club remained unclear. But Lorch has taken Mokwena's departure in good faith, continuing to be at his best with his skill-set. And that's why it's been reported that Wydad wants to sign him permanently. Cassius Mailula - Wydad Casablanca When Mailula joined Major League Soccer (MLS) side Toronto two seasons ago, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos said that move wouldn't benefit his career. And that proved to be the case - Mailula was demoted from the first team and sent to train with the reserve side, which took him backwards. But when Mokwena signed him for Wydad at the start of the season, Mailula rediscovered his mojo, scoring five goals and registering seven assists in 33 games. His ability to bounce back to his old self, scoring goals and putting his skill-set to good use, has made him a fan-favourite among the Wydad supporters. As such, when he lost his mother recently, he received outpouring support from both the fans of the club and football fraternity at large. With his loan spell at Wydad coming to an end after the World Cup, the 24-year-old is highly expected to make his move permanent, especially given his recent exploits. Elias Mokwana - Esperance There are few players that come as speedy as Mokwana in continental football, and that's why he was able to be head and shoulders above most players in Tunisia. He made his mark, taking on markers, en route to winning a domestic treble with Esperance, including the championship after the end of the season. Mokwana had said before his move that he was keen to join childhood club Kaizer Chiefs, but the negotiations fell at the final hurdle. Mokwana cannot afford to sulk and moan around - he must wear his heart on his sleeve as long as he's still contracted to Esperance going forward. Esperance like the other three African representatives - Sundowns, Wydad and Al Ahly - in the US will be underdogs in America, but individual performances will not go unnoticed. Mokwana has to be at his best with every passing game and tournament as that'll aid his chances of being called-up for Bafana for the World Cup qualifiers and Afcon finals.
The South African
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Wydad eager to permanently sign Lorch from Sundowns
Wydad Athletic Club are reportedly eager to permanently sign Thembinkosi Lorch from Mamelodi Sundowns. Lorch joined the Moroccan giants on loan from the Brazilians earlier this year, and he appears to have impressed. He has featured in nine league games for Wydad, and has scored twice, including last week's winner against AS FAR Rabat. Thembinkosi Lorch joined Wydad earlier this year. Image: Wydad Athletic/X Now, according to Moroccan publication Sport7 , Wydad have submitted a formal offer to Sundowns for the services of Lorch. However, whether or not Sundowns will be keen to let the former Orlando Pirates man go remains to be seen. The 31-year-old attacker was expected to return to Sundowns ahead of next season, especially with Rulani Mokwena leaving Wydad. Mokwena is the one who convinced Lorch to join Wydad but the results were just not forthcoming during their time together. Meanwhile, Lorch is not the only player Wydad want to keep. They are also interested in retaining Cassius Mailula. However, this could be a complicated deal as Wydad may have to break the bank to sign the Toronto FC attacker. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Soweto Derby H2H: It's AWFUL news for Kaizer Chiefs!
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will battle twice inside a week at the business end of the season. How have recent meetings gone? Chiefs have lost four of their last five meetings with Pirates, including each of the last four across all competitions. Pirates 1-0 Chiefs Pirates 3-2 Chiefs Chiefs 0-1 Pirates Chiefs 1-2 Pirates Chiefs 1-0 Pirates Meanwhile, Amakhosi are still hoping to secure an MTN8 place by virtue of league position. Also, they face Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final. Here are the details: Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates: Sat, 03 May, 15:00 Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates: Sat, 10 May, 15:00 Sekhukhune vs Chiefs: Sat, 17 May, 15:00 Chiefs vs Polokwane: Sat, 24 May, 15:00. Latest Amakhosi injury news Latest Amakhosi transfer rumours 21-year-old Kaizer Chiefs attacker Mduduzi Shabalala revealed he grew up supporting Orlando Pirates but says now he will 'die a Chiefs fan'. The young attacker has become a key operator Chiefs in the 2024-2025 campaign in a new number 10 role. He's got four goals and an assist in 25 league appearances. 'Mdu', as he is affectionately known, worshipped Thembinkosi Lorch when growing up in an all-Pirates household. With Lorch having moved on to Sundowns, there's space in the fixture for another star to make a name for himself in South Africa's premier club fixture. Shabalala recalls the first Soweto Derby he attended in 'about 2019 or 2020, where Chiefs were leading 1-0 and Lorch equalised after a pass from Ben Motshwari'. Click for the story Will the Glamour Boys turn around their awful recent record against Orlando Pirates? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
