Hugo Broos Shuts the Door on Thembinkosi Lorch’s Bafana Bafana Return

Despite his strong form in Morocco, Thembinkosi Lorch’s hopes of returning to the Bafana Bafana squad appear slim under head coach Hugo Broos. The Belgian tactician has made it clear that the Wydad Casablanca star is not part of his current or future plans, hinting that Lorch’s international career might not resume before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Lorch has impressed in Morocco since joining Wydad Casablanca, showing flashes of the skill and creativity that made him a fan favorite at Orlando Pirates. His resurgence has fueled calls for his recall to the national team, especially as South Africa continues preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for December.

Broos, however, has dismissed the idea of bringing the 31-year-old back into the fold. “You have to make choices, that’s all,” Broos said after unveiling his latest squad for the friendly against Zambia. “Lorch was once with us, about three years ago when we played in Morocco. At that time, he was performing well for Pirates, but his performance for the national team was not good. Then, in Pirates, he fell out of the team. He went to Sundowns because Rulani wanted him, but after a few months, he didn’t play anymore.”

The coach acknowledged Lorch’s strong form in Morocco but insisted that it does not influence his selection decisions. “Now he is playing well in Morocco, but you have to look at it realistically. This is not the future. I’m very sorry, but for Lorch, I don’t see any reason to take him for the team, even if he has good performances.”

Broos’ firm stance mirrors his early position on Themba Zwane, who was also once overlooked before eventually forcing his way back into the national team. Zwane went on to become a crucial player under Broos, playing a central role in Bafana Bafana’s progress. However, it seems unlikely that Lorch will enjoy a similar redemption arc.

Lorch was part of the Bafana Bafana squad that reached the quarterfinals of the 2019 AFCON, scoring in the famous Round of 16 win over Egypt. He has since represented his clubs in major continental tournaments, including the CAF Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Yet, his international career has stalled since Broos took charge in 2021.

At 31, time is running out for Lorch to make another appearance on the global stage. With Broos focused on building a younger squad for the 2026 World Cup campaign, Lorch may have to wait until a change in technical leadership to earn another chance in the national setup. For now, his focus remains on maintaining top form for Wydad Casablanca, where his recent performances continue to prove that he still has the quality to compete at the highest level, even if his national team dreams are on hold.