Former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch is flying high in Morocco, but his absence from the latest Bafana Bafana squad continues to baffle his teammate Tumisang Orebonye.
The Free State-born star was instrumental on Friday as his club, Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco, hammered Ghana’s Asante Kotoko 5-1 to secure a commanding 6-1 aggregate win and reach the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.
Lorch converted a 54th-minute penalty with a cheeky chip that effectively sealed the tie for the three-time African champions. His form in the Botola League is equally impressive, with the 32-year-old bagging two goals in just four appearances.
The Botswana international, Orebonye, was quick to sing his praises and express his confusion over the continued national team snub.
WHAT OREBONYE SAID ABOUT LORCH’S BAFANA SITUATION
“Lorch is doing great, I’m happy for him. I really wish he would continue like this,” Orebonye told FARPost. “He not only shines on his own, but he’s a player who gets the best out of you as a teammate. You’ll be happy to play alongside him.”
Orebonye, who watched Lorch during his time at the Buccaneers, sees the same electrifying player in Casablanca.
“Now I get to see Lorch doing things he was doing. He’s a quiet guy; he does the talking on the field. He’s on form from last season to the FIFA Club World Cup; he was performing.”
The Zebras striker was unequivocal about Lorch’s value to the national side. “I wouldn’t know why he isn’t making the national team, but he certainly deserves that chance.”
As South Africa gears up for the upcoming AFCON finals, coincidentally being hosted by Morocco, the exclusion of the in-form Lorch from coach Hugo Broos’s latest preliminary squad is raising eyebrows.
Bafana are set to host their COSAFA rivals, Zambia’s Chipolopolo, in an international friendly on November 14 as part of their preparations. Both teams have qualified for the 2025 AFCON tournament.
Lorch’s last appearance for the national team was in June 2022 during an AFCON qualifier against the Atlas Lions, which Bafana lost 2-1.
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