Forget Lorch, Doc Khumalo adamant Bafana’s Broos made a mistake excluding Chiefs star

A section of South African fans has been making noise about the exclusion of Wydad Athletic Club attacker Thembinkosi Lorch from his squad that will play Zambia on Saturday in an international friendly assignment to be staged at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Coach Hugo Broos stated he doesn't see any value in adding Lorch to his squad since he will not have him in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to be played in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.

Friendly matches do not exist for us – Bafana coach Hugo Broos.

The build-up to Saturday's clash against Zambia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium has been no different to previous FIFA World Cup and AFCON qualifiers. #BafanaPride@10bet_ZA @CastleLagerSA @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/5aOEU2Zzi8

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) November 12, 2025

However, Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo believes at least Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen should have made the team. He argues the custodian has been in his best form for the Glamour Boys in the ongoing campaign.

The 31-year-old has managed to keep nine cleansheets for the Soweto giants, seven of which have been in the Premier Soccer League.

Petersen deserved the node – Doc Khumalo

In the goalkeeping department, Broos retained his captain Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates' Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss of Siwelele FC.

“You can’t select a player that is not performing, you select based on performances at the club and the last seven games it was clean sheet for Petersen only when they played now against Orbit College, he conceded one after seven clean sheets,” he told DNA Podcast.

He was threatening Itu’s record. He really deserved the nod, but the question would be there are players that has scored crucial goals for their teams but still they are not selected, [Tshegofatso] Mabasa and [Bradley] Grobler.

“The person to probably address this situation is the coach himself,” Doc Khumalo concluded.

Bafana squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine

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

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Masindi Nemtajela, Bathusi Aubaas, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole

Forwards: Evidence Makgopa, Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Lyle Foster, Mohau Nkota, Sipho Mbule, Keletso Makgalwa.