Hugo Broos rules out Lorch from Bafana Bafana plans despite strong Wydad Casablanca form

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has put his head on the block and declared that attacker Thembinkosi Lorch has no future in his team, despite the player’s impressive exploits at Wydad Casablanca.

Lorch has been one of Wydad’s standout performers since the start of the season, scoring four goals in eight games as the side recently climbed to the top of the Botola Pro 1 league.

Given his blistering form, expectations were high that he would be drafted into the Bafana squad set to face Zambia in an international friendly at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium next Saturday (6 pm kick-off) as part of preparations for the AFCON in Morocco next month.

But Broos has no plans for Lorch to be part of the setup now or in the immediate future. Having last called him up for a clash against the Atlas Lions away from home, the silver-haired Belgian has monitored Lorch’s progress from his time at Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, and now Wydad.

Broos is fully aware that Lorch has been one of Wydad’s best players this season, but he says he has made up his mind that Lorch has no place in his team.

“You have to also look at his age. This is not the future. I am very sorry. And if I shouldn’t have other options, then okay, maybe I should select him,” said Broos during his final squad announcement at Safa House on Thursday morning for the clash against Chipolopolo.

“But again, for Lorch, for the moment — even though he has good performances in Morocco — I don’t see why I should take him with the team.”

Broos is not one to change his mind easily about selecting a player. The only time he did that was with Themba Zwane, whom he initially deemed too old for the national team.

But after Zwane brought renewed vigour to the side en route to finishing third at the last AFCON, Broos’s change of heart proved to be one of the best decisions he has made as Bafana coach.

“It happened four years ago with Themba. I wanted to look for other options, but I didn’t find them and had to come back to him. And that was a good decision because you saw what happened with the team,” Broos said.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine 

Defenders:

Khuliso Mudau, Thabang Matuludi, Thabo Moloisane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khulumani Ndamane, Aubrey Modiba, Samukelo Kabini, Mbekezeli Mbokazi

Midfielders:

Teboho Mokoena, Masindi Nemtajela, Bathusi Aubaas, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole, Sipho Mbule

Forwards:

Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Lyle Foster, Keletso Makgalwa