Raja Casablanca head coach Fadlu Davids has given his honest take on the debate around Thembinkosi Lorch’s omission from the Bafana Bafana squad. The talented winger missed out on the final Hugo Broos’ squad to participate in the upcoming AFCON in Morocco despite his recent form at Wydad Athletic Club.
Lorch has been a consistent performer for the Moroccan giants after joining the club on a permanent deal at the start of the 2025/26 season. Before signing a permanent deal with Wydad, Lorch spent the second round of the previous campaign on loan with Wydad after arriving on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns in the January 2025 transfer window.
Since his move to the Red Castle, the former Orlando Pirates star has been a live wire in Wydad’s attack, playing a major role in scoring and creating goals. The 32-year-old has scored five goals and contributed four assists in his 11 appearances across all competitions at Wydad.
Following his fine form at Wydad, Bafana coach Hugo Broos has continued to snub Lorch from his squad, a decision that has raised many questions from the media and supporters.
His former coach at Pirates, Fadlu Davids, has acknowledged that Lorch is a quality player who has been key for his club; however, he stressed the importance of respecting Broos’ selection decision.
WHAT FADLU DAVIDS SAID ABOUT LORCH MISSING IN THE BAFANA SQUAD
“Wydad is playing more direct with a lot of crosses, long balls, and set pieces, but with the singing of Lorch and [Stephane] Aziz Ki, these are the two players making Wydad a little more interesting to watch,” Fadlu told SAFJA journalists on Thursday.
“In every attack, Lorch is at the centre of it, their attacks are going through Lorch, and you know he is a type of player that can win a match for you, he’s not only the player that plays between the lines, but he can use the space behind the defensive line.
“He gives his team so much in terms of creativity and flair, something that they are probably lacking in their approach or playing style at the moment.
“Lorch has been amazing. At the same time, I respect the coach’s decision; we are all speaking about Lorch and AFCON. Yes, he’s up there with the best players in South Africa, but the coach has his own style and a clear way of playing.
“We have to support Hugo Broos, I’m disappointed for Lorch because as a player, when you are performing outside of the country, maybe you feel unappreciated than when you are doing it for Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns, where everybody sees you on a weekly basis.”
“But here [in Morocco] we see it, he’s well respected in the league, we have to support Hugo Broos in not selecting him and get behind the national team with the attackers that he selected.”
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