Young winger Relebohile Mofokeng has shown deep admiration for his former teammate, Thembinkosi Lorch, calling him an idol despite the two now playing for rival PSL teams. Mofokeng, who has become a key player for Orlando Pirates, took to social media to share a photo of his personalised shin pads, which feature a picture of him and Lorch celebrating together during their time at Pirates.
The 20-year-old’s heartfelt tribute came after a standout performance in Pirates’ 2-1 victory over Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League on 18 January 2025. In the thrilling encounter, Mofokeng scored a crucial goal, helping his team top their group and advance to the knockout stages of the competition. His performance earned praise from fans and even sparked a debate on social media, with many suggesting that Mofokeng has the potential to surpass Lorch, a former PSL Player of the Year and one of the most celebrated wingers in South African football.
Despite Lorch’s recent struggles at Mamelodi Sundowns following his high-profile move in January 2024, Mofokeng continues to regard him as a major influence on his own career. Lorch, who has battled injuries and off-field controversies since joining Sundowns, remains a respected figure for Mofokeng. The young winger has often spoken about Lorch being a role model, and their bond was clearly evident when Mofokeng celebrated their shared history with the image on his shin pads.
Even though Lorch’s relationship with fans has been complicated—especially after his recent social media post wishing former coach Rulani Mokwena a happy birthday with an image of the two in Pirates gear—Mofokeng remains one of his loyal supporters. The respect between the two players is evident, as Mofokeng’s gesture reflects both admiration for Lorch and a desire to honour their shared time at Pirates, even as they now play for different clubs.
As Mofokeng’s career continues to rise, with top clubs like FC Barcelona reportedly interested in him, his deep respect for Lorch shows that he remains grounded and inspired by those who have paved the way before him.
