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Thembinkosi Lorch was left out of Hugo Broos' provisional 54-man squad for the upcoming 2025 AFCON, which has sparked outrage.
Legendary South African goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has publicly challenged Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos's decision to exclude Thembinkosi Lorch from the national squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), despite the player's stellar performances for Wydad AC.
Broos recently announced a large 54-man preliminary squad for the tournament, but the in-form Lorch was a notable omission.
The 32-year-old attacking midfielder has been in excellent touch since his move from Mamelodi Sundowns to the Moroccan giants, netting five goals in nine appearances earlier this season.
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11:27 - 11.11.2025
Hugo Broos has come under criticism after snubbing a number of players from his latest South Africa squad ahead of their friendly against Zambia.
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Despite this, Broos has remained firm in his stance, suggesting that Lorch is not part of his long-term vision for the national team.
"This is not the future. I’m very sorry," Broos stated when questioned about Lorch's absence. "Even though he’s playing well in Morocco, I don’t see any reason to take him with the team."
Khune, a veteran with nearly 100 caps for Bafana Bafana and a storied 20-year career at Kaizer Chiefs, took to social media to voice his disagreement. In a concise but direct post, he made his feelings clear.
"He’s on form, we need him as a country, coach," Khune wrote, a clear message to the Bafana Bafana leadership.
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13:19 - 22.11.2025
The Bafana Bafana job is set to be declared vacant following the 2026 World Cup after Hugo Broos anounced his intention to retire, and Rivieiro is among those tipped for the job.
The intervention from a figure of Khune's stature highlights the growing debate surrounding the squad selection. As Morocco prepares to host AFCON from December 21, Broos is expected to trim his preliminary list down to the final 23 players in the coming days.
However, one thing is certain: Thembinkosi Lorch will not be among those traveling to the tournament.
What Next For Lorch?
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The debate for Lorch to be included is officially over. The winger is no longer a victim of “bad luck,” nor is he simply “waiting for his turn.”
Broos selected virtually every available option: returning veteran Themba Zwane, rising stars like Shandre Campbell and Tylon Smith, and even fringe names such as Brandon Petersen and Puso Dithejane.
Yet Lorch was nowhere in sight.This latest omission makes it clear: under Hugo Broos, Lorch has no role in the present or future of Bafana Bafana.
Lorch’s club form no longer moves the needle At Wydad, Lorch continues to deliver on the big stages—creating chances, providing assists, and producing moments that shift games.
In Morocco, his value is recognized and appreciated. In South Africa, however, Broos appears to have closed the chapter.