‘I make my choices on my own’ – Broos shuts Lorch fanboys, again

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has maintained that public opinion will not make him change his mind over forward Thembinkosi Lorch.

Broos has had to defend his decision to overlook the Wydad AC attacker from the national team despite the 32-year-old’s great form in the first half of the 2025-26 season.

Lorch has been in brilliant form, netting five goals and adding four assists in 11 games for the Moroccan giants, but Broos has remained defiant that the player does not feature in his plans.

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The argument for Broos is that the player did not cover himself in glory when he was last given an opportunity in the national team, added to his age, which the Belgian coach says is beyond what he needs for a player in his position.

With South Africa starting their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-1 win over Angola on Monday, there were instances when Bafana Bafana needed a spark and lacked creativity and the Lorch question came up again, in Broos’ post-match press conference.

“Yes, there are supporters [of Lorch]. First instance, this is a choice,” Broos responded. “I think I have 45 players or something like that, where I can choose. So you have to make choices. That is one.”

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“Secondly, everybody is talking about Lorch. I haven’t heard or seen him in the last three years. He was playing in Pirates, and they kicked him out. He was playing in Sundowns, but they kicked him out. He was playing in Wydad Casablanca, I think. He didn’t play anymore. And now suddenly he plays well,” added the 73-year-old coach.

“I made my choice, and that’s it. I can maybe give you some other names, maybe this one or that one or another one. You know, when I make my choices, I make my choices on my own. And that’s it.”

Lorch last played for Bafana Bafana in June 2022 when South Africa beat Morocco 2-1 in a 2023 AFCON qualifier, starting the game and managing 62 minutes.