Tripoli, Libya — South African attacker Thembinkosi Lorch appears set to leave Al-Ittihad Tripoli after the Libyan club reached its limit for foreign players ahead of the new season.
According to reports from African football journalist Micky Junior, Lorch's situation is not believed to be a reflection of his quality as a player. Instead, the club's foreign-player quota has created a difficult situation for the former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns attacker.
A report by Libyan outlet WinWin on 5 October said Al-Ittihad head coach Faouzi Benzarti had decided not to retain Lorch after the club completed its foreign-player allocation.
Al-Ittihad's foreign-player list is full
Al-Ittihad have reportedly reached the maximum number of foreign players permitted under the competition regulations.
The club's foreign contingent includes Sofiane Boufal, Jack Pantoulou Diarra, Naoufel Zerhouni, Onuche Ogbelu, Hamza Ben Abdella, Mehdi Ganouni and Mamadou Sylla, according to the latest reports.
Boufal and Diarra are among the players competing for attacking positions similar to those occupied by Lorch, with the club reportedly preferring its other options.
The arrival of Moroccan international Sofiane Boufal in September further strengthened Al-Ittihad's attacking options.
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Loan option reportedly rejected
Reports surrounding Lorch's situation indicate that Al-Ittihad explored the possibility of sending the South African out on loan.
However, the 33-year-old reportedly rejected that option and instead sought the remainder of his contractual entitlement.
With the club unable to accommodate him within its foreign-player quota, his departure now appears increasingly likely.
It remains important to distinguish this development from a completed transfer: Lorch's next club has not yet been officially confirmed.
Lorch's short spell in Libya
Lorch joined Al-Ittihad from Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club in early 2026 after making an impact during his time in Casablanca.
He initially remained under contract with Al-Ittihad despite interest from Morocco during the summer. FARPost reported in August that Lorch's proposed return to Morocco had stalled and that he had returned to Libya for pre-season preparations.
His eventual exit would therefore mark another change in his career only months after moving to Libya.
According to WinWin, Lorch made seven appearances across domestic competitions, playing 565 minutes, scoring once and registering one assist.
Previous interest from Morocco
Lorch had already attracted interest from Moroccan club Maghreb Fès during the summer transfer window.
AfricaFoot reported in August that the Moroccan side was interested in bringing the South African back to the country after his spell with Wydad.
However, FARPost subsequently reported that the proposed move failed to materialise, with a significant difference between Lorch's existing salary in Libya and the package offered by Maghreb Fès.
That history could make Morocco one of the possible destinations to monitor if Lorch formally becomes available.
What next for Lorch?
For now, the immediate issue is finding a solution that satisfies both the player and Al-Ittihad.
The club reportedly cannot register Lorch within its current foreign-player allocation, while the player is understood to prefer fulfilling his contractual terms rather than leaving on loan.
The situation could therefore lead to a permanent transfer, contract settlement or another arrangement before the new Libyan campaign gets fully underway.
For Lorch, the priority will be finding a club where he can secure regular playing time and continue his career after an unexpectedly short spell in Tripoli.
The South African's departure from Al-Ittihad now appears increasingly likely, but his next destination remains unclear.