Chiefs legend Baloyi suggests the real reason Broos overlooked Lorch

Thembinkosi Lorch represents Wydad Casablanca. Image: thembinkosi_lorch-3/Instagram

Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana legend Brian Baloyi has revealed that he was told Hugo Broos has been excluding Thembinkosi Lorch for non-footballing reasons.

Lorch was surprisingly excluded from the Bafana Bafana squad for the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in Morocco. This happened despite making waves at Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca with four goals and five assists in 11 games.

Head coach Hugo Broos made it clear that it was a definitive choice and that the player is not part of his current plans, a stance maintained despite public debate. Coach Broos outlined specific reasons for his decision: tactical considerations and the player’s age.

Meanwhile, Baloyi has offered insight into what he believes may be keeping the former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns star on the outside.

Baloyi suggested that the issue goes beyond football matters, while also raising concerns about the lack of experienced football voices around the Bafana Bafana setup.

BRIAN BALOYI: ‘I WAS TOLD IT WAS NON-FOOTBALLING REASONS’

“On the Lorch issue, I’ve been trying to understand what’s happening,” Baloyi said on Soccer Beat. “I spoke to a couple of people, including people who were with him in the national team, and I heard that it’s mainly off-field stuff that made the coach not take him.

“I heard that he was outspoken in camp, and they felt that it was dividing the team. In what way, I am not sure but that’s what I was told,” Baloyi continued.

Thembinkosi Lorch enjoys a warm-up for Wydad Casablanca. Image: thembinkosi_lorch-3/Instagram

“Sometimes there are not enough football people around the team. There’s no one who can stand up to the coach. Someone to back players they feel would do well for the country.”

“When you go to tournaments, you need people like Lucas Radebe around the team. You need people like Doctor Khumalo, Mark Williams and Shaun Bartlett, those types of figures.”

“It doesn’t help when players look into the stands, and all they see are Sports Ministers. In other countries, you see legends, former players, people who have won it before,” Baloyi added.