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Who are the South African footballers plying their trade in North Africa?

Thembinkosi Lorch was a top performer for former side Wydad Casablanca at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Thembinkosi Lorch was a top performer for former side Wydad Casablanca at the 2025 FIFA Club World CupFRANCK FIFE / AFP

Following Devin Titus’ move to Moroccan champions MAS Fès, we look at the South Africans currently plying their trade at North African clubs. It is something that was unheard of even a decade ago, but is now becoming more and more common.

Tshegofatso Mabasa (MAS Fès, Morocco)

Mabasa was recently recruited by the Moroccan champions on a free transfer after leaving Orlando Pirates. He had fallen out of favour with the Buccaneers and the way they play under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou did not suit his style.

The 29-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Stellenbosch FC and, with a new coach coming into the Bafana Bafana set-up, may wonder if his national team ambitions might be reignited.

This is especially so with Evidence Makgopa set for a spell on the sidelines and Lyle Foster having not really featured in pre-season for Burnley.

MAS Fès is the first overseas club for Mabasa, who has spent his entire career in the PSL.

 

Devin Titus (MAS Fès, Morocco)

Mabasa will have a friendly face in Morocco after Titus made the move to MAS Fès, who triggered the release clause in his contract.

The pair played together last season at Stellies and this is a big move for Titus, who had previously resisted leaving the Cape Winelands despite interest from other PSL clubs.

How he settles in a foreign land will be key, but the 25-year-old has all the quality to do well, which in turn might also boost his Bafana ambitions, having been in and out of the squad in recent times.

How much MAS Fès paid for Titus has yet to be revealed.

Thembinkosi Lorch (Al-Ittihad Tripoli, Libya)

There are reports that MAS Fès are trying to sign Lorch as well and he would be a great capture for any team as he continues to sparkle in the twilight of his career.

He has only been in Libya since the start of the year, but it is not unusual for players to bounce around North Africa.

He arrived from Wydad Casablanca, where he had been a top performer, including at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Now 33, time is marching on, but you feel he has a few more good seasons in him.

 

Fagrie Lakay (Al-Ahli Tripoli, Libya)

Set to be another Libya-based player, though he is at Al-Ahli Tripoli, the sworn enemies of Al-Ittihad. He has yet to br officially announced though.

Lakay is a veteran of the North African environment, having spent some four years there since moving to Egyptian side Pyramids from Cape Town City in 2022.

He later joined another Egyptian side, Ceramica Cleopatra, before a move to Libya and a new adventure that seems all but done as a transfer.

The 29-year-old has largely proved a hit wherever he has been, so will expect to deliver for his new club too.

Kgaogelo Sekgota (Petrojet, Egypt)

Sekgota has bounced around clubs in recent years and perhaps it is not a bad thing for him to try something outside South Africa’s borders.

His move to Egyptian side Petrojet looks a good one. They are an ambitious team.

It is not his first experience abroad. He previously played in Lithuania and Portugal as a youngster, so is somewhat well-travelled.

This feels like a last chance for the 29-year-old to get his career back on track, having signed a two-year contract with the Egyptians.

 

Elias Mokwana (Espérance de Tunis, Tunisia)

Mokwana is back at Tunisian side Espérance after a loan spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hazem last season.

But how long he remains in Tunis is the big question, and the smart money says not very long at all.

It seems the Tunisians have no real desire to keep him, so it depends on what deal can be done and what transfer fee they are asking.

A return to the PSL has been mooted, as has interest from other North African clubs.

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