CAFCC: Wydad AC’s Lorch: ‘Azam FC different’

Wydad Athletic Club’s South African star Thembinkosi Lorch has shared his experience of playing against Tanzania Mainland Premier League opposition in the CAF inter-club competitions.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns forward is the Morocco’s Botola Pro side’s key player going into the clash against Azam FC in Zanzibar in Friday’s CAF Confederation Cup match.

Under the lights in Zanzibar 💡🔝#DimaWydad pic.twitter.com/mpDt6Nak8C

— Wydad Athletic Club (@WACofficiel) November 26, 2025

Ahead of the Group B encounter, Lorch, as quoted by CAF website, shared what he knows about the Tanzanians opposition owing to the experience gained while at Pirates.

“The focus is on this game but also looking at how we can maintain the perfect start to the competition. I have faced Tanzanian opponents before while I was playing with Orlando Pirates but Azam FC is a different outfit as they are in the competition at this stage for the first time. It will be a tough game,” the South African said.

How Thembinkosi Lorch found himself at Wydad AC

The on-and-off Bafana Bafana player switched camp from the Buccaneers to join Sundowns in 2024 to reunite with Rulani Mokwena, then in charge of Sundowns.

However, the sacking of Mokwena in December also saw the end of the forward’s time at the Pretoria-based giants. Lorch followed Mokwena to Wydad AC on loan. He made the switch permanent even after the coach’s exit. The former Buccaneers’ trainer is now in charge of MC Alger in Algeria.

Wydad AC coach Mohammed Amine Bnehachem shared Lorch’s observation on the challenge of facing a relatively new comer in the continental competition.

“It is not easy against Azam; they are a possession-based team that hardly lets the opponent touch the ball. Their build-up plays and speed in transitions, and are different from what we usually see in Africa,” Bnehachem told CAF’s media.

“But we have our own identity, our own strategy, and we will use it to qualify and that is what matters most. They have an experienced coach and players who know African competitions well.”

Azam welcome the Moroccans while seeking to atone for the 1-0 loss they suffered to AS Maniema Union in the Democratic Republic of the Congo last week. On the other hand, Wydad AC opened their assignments for the group with a home 3-0 victory over Nairobi United.