AFCON
SOUTH AFRICA’S SCORER, LORCH, WAS GRIEVING BEFORE EGYPT’S MATCH
Thembinkosi Lorch, the scorer of the South Africa’s goal that eliminated Egypt was reportedly in grief, going into Saturday’s match.
South African publication, Sowetan reveals that the family of Bafana Bafana star buried his “closest” uncle just hours before he scored a goal that put South Africa into the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations on Saturday.
Lorch’s father Teboho Mokoena, reportedly told Sowetan that the family laid to rest Lebohang Mokoena who, a few years ago, accompanied his son to sign a contract at Orlando Pirates.
“I told people at the funeral that I had a feeling that he may even score a goal and that goal could be the most important for the country,” said Mokoena.
He said even though they didn’t want to negatively impact on Lorch’s preparations for the big last-16 match against Egypt in Cairo, they still told him of his uncle’s passing. Lebohang was involved in a car fatal accident more than a week ago.
“According to our culture, we must tell a person [if such occurs in the family]. I told him via WhatsApp, he even reminded me that it was his uncle that went with him to Orlando Pirates to sign his contract,” said Mokoena.
Mokoena said his son told him last week that he might play on Saturday in the crucial encounter against hosts Egypt.
“I was worried when he was not playing because I know his potential and capabilities,” he said.
Mokoena added: “What he said to me was that he was not happy to be benched, but felt that it made him stronger mentally.”
Mokeona was happy that his son has brought a smile to soccer-loving South Africans.
Nicknamed, Nyoso, the speedy player started playing for his father’s team Mountain Eagles in Ficksburg, in the Free State, before moving to teams such as Maluti FET College FC, a former ABC Motsepe League team from Phutaditjhaba, which once shocked Pirates with a 4-0 win in the Nedbank Cup. Lorch was on the bench for that match.
His coach at Maluti, Morena Ramorebodi, described Lorch as a “very humble hard worker who takes instructions very well”.
“If you want to get the best out of him, put him under pressure, he’s very brave and always wants to perform at his best,” said Ramorebodi.
“Even when faced with opponents that are very aggressive, Thembinkosi wouldn’t be intimidated easily,” he said.
Ramorebodi said Lorch wanted to be a main force in any team for which he plays.
He told Sowetan about six years ago ahead of a crucial tough playoff game, Lorch sent him a text message at 3am on match day, saying: “Coach, if you play me today, you will get the best of me.”
The reigning PSL Player’s Player of the Season and Footballer of the Season was also named the man of the match on Saturday evening after his 85th minute goal ousted the hosts and one of the tournament’s favourites.
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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