South African football legend Sibusiso Zuma believes former Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates star Thembinkosi Lorch should be the main beneficiary of the upcoming coaching shift within the Bafana Bafana technical team.
Lorch, along with a number of other stars, was overlooked when Hugo Broos was at the helm of Bafana Bafana. His omission frustrated a vocal section of South African supporters.
Pressure for Lorch’s recall increased when it became clear that Mamelodi Sundowns’ Themba Zwane was struggling with recurring injuries. Those problems eventually ruled Zwane out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in Morocco.
The number 10 role behind the striker has become a talking point because Broos had limited options there. To fill the gap, Broos had turned to former Orlando Pirates’ Sipho Mbule and Patrick Maswanganyi.
It is a position Lorch could have filled if Broos had chosen to include him.
However, with Pitso Mosimane’s return on the horizon, Zuma reckons Lorch, who last donned the Bafana Bafana jersey in 2022, must now get his chance.
SIBUSISO ZUMA BACKS THEMBINKOSI LORCH FOR A BAFANA BAFANA COMEBACK
Zuma said Lorch deserves a recall through consistency outside South Africa. Lorch excelled at Moroccan giants Wydad AC and Libyan club Al-Ittihad SC since his move from the Betway Premiership.
“Look, Thembinkosi Lorch has worked for this. He left South Africa and went to Wydad Casablanca, one of the biggest clubs in Africa, and he did well there,” Zuma said in an interview with FARPost.
“Then he moved to Al-Ittihad in Libya, and he is still performing at a high level. That is not easy to do. It’s sad that he wasn’t recognised by the previous coach, but he is one player who is deserving to be in this space.
“You must reward players who keep the South African flag flying abroad. He has shown character, he has shown quality, and he has shown that he can adapt. Bafana Bafana needs players with that kind of experience right now.
“If the new coach is serious about building a strong team for AFCON and World Cup qualifiers, then Lorch must be in the conversation. He is a proven player. He knows what it means to wear the jersey. Give him the opportunity and let him show what he can do.”
SAFA is still working to finalise Pitso Mosimane’s return as head coach. Although the SAFA National Executive Committee [NEC] approved the three-time CAF Champions League winner’s appointment on August 8, an official announcement is yet to be made.
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