Hugo Broos Explains Absence of Lorch and Grobler from Bafana Bafana Squad

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has addressed questions surrounding the omission of in-form duo Thembinkosi Lorch and Bradley Grobler from South Africa’s latest squad.

The national team will face Zimbabwe on Friday and Rwanda on Tuesday in critical 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The 23-man squad assembled in Johannesburg on Monday ahead of the fixtures.

With key players like Themba Zwane sidelined due to injury and Patrick Maswanganyi lacking sufficient club minutes, there was speculation about calling up Lorch, who is a regular starter at Wydad Casablanca in Morocco. Grobler, who is currently tied with Iqraam Rayners as the top scorer in the Betway Premiership, was also expected by some to feature.

Broos, however, maintained that squad selection is his prerogative.

“No, because I don’t want to. But every selection, you can mention some players who are not there, and I don’t like to give an explanation every time to why they’re not there,” Broos said.

He emphasized the depth of talent available to him.

“You know, I have choices. I have to make choices because we have many good players now. I can make two teams, even maybe three teams, so I have to make a choice. I’m very sorry but I’m not gonna explain to you every time why Grobler is not there, why is the other not there, no! This is a selection, I have made my choice and that’s it,” Broos added.

Changes to the squad include the replacement of Iqraam Rayners, who withdrew for medical reasons, with Evidence Makgopa, and Mduduzi Shabalala stepping in for the injured Relebohile Mofokeng.

Bafana Bafana will face Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00. The squad will then prepare for the return fixture against Rwanda on Tuesday.

Broos’ comments reaffirm his focus on the squad he believes is best suited for the World Cup qualifiers, despite questions over the absence of in-form players.