Broos drops major hint over Lorch World Cup omission

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has offered a candid insight into his selection headache ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, suggesting that star playmaker Thembinkosi Lorch may face heartbreak despite his sparkling form in North Africa.

With the final squad for North America yet to be officially confirmed, the Al-Ittihad SC star has become the focal point of a national debate. Lorch has undergone a dramatic career resurgence since leaving Mamelodi Sundowns, recapturing the scintillating form that once made him a household name in the PSL.

The 32-year-old’s credentials for a plane ticket were bolstered significantly during last year’s FIFA Club World Cup, where he produced “jaw-dropping” displays against European heavyweights Manchester City and Juventus. However, despite those performances on the global stage, Broos appears to be leaning toward continuity over individual “wildcards.”

‘Who do I drop?’: Broos on Lorch

Speaking to Robert Marawa on 947 on Tuesday, the Belgian tactician addressed the growing calls for Lorch’s inclusion, admitting that while the attacker is “playing well,” he is reluctant to disrupt the core group that secured qualification.

“I’m honest, he’s playing well, but if you take Lorch, tell me who doesn’t go to the World Cup?” Broos questioned. “Knowing that he’s a player who plays behind the striker, tell me [who must remain behind?].”

Broos’ comments suggest that his final selection will be rooted in loyalty to the regulars who have been ever-present during the qualifying campaign.

“It’s very difficult to take a player who was never with us and drop a player who was always with us,” the 74-year-old added. “The choice we make is not always a sporting choice; it can be that the guys who have always been with us didn’t disappoint, so why should we change that?”

The Mokwena Factor

The potential exclusion is set to spark further debate, given Lorch’s unique partnership with Rulani Mokwena. The duo have now worked together at four different clubs—Orlando Pirates, Sundowns, Wydad, and Al-Ittihad—with Lorch registering 12 goal involvements in his most recent 30 appearances in Morocco.

While Broos acknowledged that Lorch “has many supporters,” he was quick to point out the player’s inconsistent path over the last two seasons prior to his North African revival.

As South Africa prepares for its historic return to the world stage, Broos’ latest remarks indicate that the door might be closing on one of the country’s most gifted talents in favour of the “collective” that got them there.