The tension between Hugo Broos and Thembinkosi Lorch appears far from over after the midfielder was once again excluded from the preliminary Bafana Bafana squad.
Lorch, who recently signed for Al‑Ittihad Tripoli, had already raised eyebrows earlier when he was left out of the squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite producing strong performances at club level. His absence from the latest squad has now reignited debate among supporters.
Broos announced his preliminary squad for two international friendly matches against Panama national football team later this month as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The matches are scheduled to take place on 27 March and 31 March, with one fixture set for Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and another in Cape Town.
However, Lorch’s continued omission has become one of the most talked-about aspects of the squad announcement.
Pirates dominate squad, Chiefs snubbed
The squad selection has also triggered discussion among fans because of the heavy representation from Orlando Pirates, while no players from Kaizer Chiefs were included in the preliminary list.
Reports indicate that Pirates contributed 11 players, while Mamelodi Sundowns also supplied several players to the squad, reflecting their strong performances in domestic competitions this season.
The exclusion of Chiefs players has further fuelled criticism from supporters who believe some in-form players have been overlooked.
Questions around Lorch’s absence
Lorch, widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most creative attacking midfielders, has enjoyed a solid run of form in recent seasons and previously won the PSL Footballer of the Season award in 2019.
Despite that pedigree, Broos has repeatedly insisted that squad selection ultimately comes down to tactical decisions and competition for places. In earlier comments about Lorch’s absence, the coach said national team selections require difficult choices.
For many fans, however, the midfielder’s continued exclusion — especially while performing well at club level — has raised questions about whether he is being deliberately overlooked.
World Cup preparations underway
The friendlies against Panama form part of Bafana Bafana’s preparation programme ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
With the tournament approaching, Broos is expected to use the matches to assess combinations, evaluate player form and finalise the core of his squad for the global showpiece.
For now, however, the spotlight remains firmly on Lorch — and whether the talented midfielder will eventually force his way back into the national team setup.
