Doctor Khumalo Responds to Hugo Broos Leaving Thembinkosi Lorch Out of Bafana Bafana Squad

• Doctor Khumalo reacts after Hugo Broos left out Thembinkosi Lorch from the latest Bafana Bafana squad
• The Kaizer Chiefs legend believes the former Mamelodi Sundowns star deserves a place in the squad
• The reports about Lorch's absence from the Bafana Bafana squad and Doctor Khumalo's comments sparked reactions on social media

Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has raised eyebrows over the omission of former Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch from the latest Bafana Bafana squad to face Zambia.

Questions have swirled around national team coach Hugo Broos after the in-form Lorch was left out of the squad set to face Zambia in an international friendly, just a month ahead of AFCON 2023 in Morocco.

Since his move from Mamelodi Sundowns to Wydad Athletic Club, Lorch has been in impressive form, shouldering much of the team’s attacking threat. This season, he has already scored five goals and provided an assist in eight appearances, underlining his value and sparking debate over his absence from the national team.

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Khumalo on Lorch's absence from Bafana squad

Speaking with Andile Ncube on the DNA podcast, Khumalo expressed his curiosity about why Lorch was not included in the squad set to face Zambia, noting that the former Orlando Pirates winger could provide value to Bafana. He highlighted the stiff competition on the right and left wings from players like Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshepang Moremi, and Mohau Nkota.

Khumalo acknowledged that Lorch had faced challenges in his career, but pointed out that his performances abroad had drawn widespread praise.

He felt that a call-up for this game would have been justified, even if it wasn’t Lorch’s first, given the experience and quality he has shown against top-level opponents. Khumalo added that while being celebrated isn’t a guarantee of selection, the game itself is the ultimate test of a player’s worth.

What the fans are saying about Khumalo's submission about Lorch's absence from Bafana Bafana squad.

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Tlapeng Tabane wrote:

"Thembinkosi Lorch is a completely new player. He has grown into a very fine athlete & based on his recent exploits, he deserves a call up. At the very least, he could have been selected for friendlies. He was fire in the club World Cup and continues to thrive in their domestic league."

Sakhiwo Owen Mbovane said:

"He first questioned the exclusion of Brandon Peterson ( Chiefs Goalkeeper), now it's Lorch. I wonder what Khumalo is up to. Coz we are doing very well without these two."

Serame Sereke shared:

"I remember during Baxter's tenure at Bafana how as a country we once fought for Lorch to play and be in a starting 11 during AFCON...he came in & scored one of the important goals for Bafana."

Isaac Kegaogetšwe Mokganyetši commented:

"Lorch wore the Bafana Bafana's jersey before. He doesn't seem like a person who will die for his country. He is just a superstar. Broos believes in hard workers. That is why Mabaso is not called."

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Toto Ntjebe reacted:

"Remember, they were campaigning for Lorch to come and play for their team, hence the sympathy, since when would they support a player who happened to play for Orlando Pirates? Lorch will come & retire there, don't stress."

Tornado Sgwili added:

"Doc is professional enough to know his space. The facts that we won, bronze and easily qualified don't mean everyone is a coach. We did it without Lorch and Doc's opinion. He failed as a coach and wasn't called up when he thought he was still good."

Khumalo on Chiefs star's absence

Briefly News also reported that Khumalo named the Kaizer Chiefs star who deserves a place in the Bafana Bafana squad.

The South African football legend believes the Amakhosi player's performance this season should earn him a place in the team.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News