Ex-Bafana Bafana COSAFA Cup coach Morena Ramoreboli has shared his thoughts on his protege, Thembinkosi Lorch, and his continued snub from the national side.
The former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder has been in top form for Wydad Casablanca in the Moroccan Botola Pro 1. He has scored five goals in nine appearances for Wydad across all competitions so far this season.
Even after an impressive outing at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the 32-year-old has struggled to muscle his way into Bafana coach Hugo Broos’ plans. The freezing out of Lorch has been a major talking point about the current national team set-up.
After gracing the 2019 AFCON edition and scoring the Round of 16 goal that eliminated hosts Egypt from the tournament, Lorch is currently one of the most experienced players in South African football.
Themba Zwane is likely to miss AFCON due to injury, and Broos might have to turn to Lorch for experience in anticipation that the Bafana vice-captain does not make it to the continental tournament. But the former Cameroon boss is unmoved by the calls to include Lorch.
RAMOREBOLI OPENS UP ON LORCH’S EXCLUSION FROM BAFANA
Ramoreboli coached Lorch in the players’ formative years at Maluti FET College FC and reacts to Broos’ decision.
“Thembinkosi is a good player, I think if you look at his performances now, you see he has gained a lot of experience. He has matured in his game,” Ramoreboli told FARPost.
“But we also need to respect the decision of the coach. If the coach feels that the characteristics of Thenbinkosi Lorch and the qualities he can bring into the team are not what he wants currently, then we need to respect that.
“I’m a coach and I don’t think I would question the coach’s decision. Lorch might be doing well, but what is important is we also need to be fair to the coach. He has built an understanding with some players he has been working with.
“As much as Lorch is doing well, the coach has made a decision he feels that these are the players he wants, and Lorch is not part of his plans.”
BIG LESSON FOR LORCH TO LEARN FROM ZWANE’S PREVIOUS BAFANA SITUATION
Lorch is not the only player to be snubbed by Broos while on top of his game. The former Cameroon coach was forced to make a mid-air somersault on Zwane after initially sidelining the Sundowns skipper.
“The most important thing is for Lorch to be patient, wait for his time. The coach did the same with Themba Zwane and at some point, he had to call him. I think sometimes, as coaches, we want players to be consistent and keep working hard,” added Ramoreboli.
“So, I think the most important thing is for us to respect the decision of coach Hugo and understand that if he feels he needs Lorch, he will call him. But if he feels that Lorch won’t help him, then he won’t call him.
“For me, as a coach, I will always respect his decision and say it’s not like he is ignoring the fact that Lorch is not doing well. But I think his principles are saying, ‘these are the types of players I want at this stage and Lorch is not part of that. So, we just need to respect that.”
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