“Thembinkosi Lorch deserves Bafana Bafana call-up” - Mphela

Photo: Wydad Athletic Club

Former South Africa national team striker Katlego Mphela has called for the inclusion of Thembinkosi Lorch into the Bafana Bafana squad for future assignments.

Lorch has put up glittering performances for Morocco giants Wydad Athletic Club after joining them on loan from South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns for the second half of the 2024-25 season.

The 31-year-old has been one of the brightest spots for the Botola Pro side at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup despite their elimination from the expanded tournament in the United States of America. Following Lorch's impressive performances, Mphela, who is popularly known as "Killer", feels the Wydad attacker deserves to be considered for the senior national team call-up.

"I think we all know he is a talented boy and he has been showing the ability he has. The problem, I think, maybe there was too much distraction on his personal life and other things," Mphela told Sowetan.

"Coach Rulani [Mokwena] believed in him so much by bringing him to Sundowns, [but] it didn't work out, and he went to Morocco. You can see that the boy is very talented. You saw this in the last two games at the Club World Cup. [In] the first match, he gave Manchester City problems, [and in] the second one, he also did well and even scored.

"He deserves to be called up for Bafana Bafana because he has been on form for the whole season. He has been consistent, it is not only at the Club World Cup because I have been following the news and he has been performing. The whole season has been winning Player of the Month [awards] at Wydad."

"Even the coach [Amine Benhachem] that came in now, you can see he believes in him, alongside Cassius Mailula. For him to be in a foreign country and do this well, it shows the character and the ability," he said.

"I think the big thing has been the environment and lifestyle, and he is focused on that side. For me, if Wydad wants him to stay, he needs to stay there because I think the relationship between him and Sundowns has broken. If he comes back, I think it will be the same problems.

Wydad, who are already eliminated, will play their last Group G match against Al Ain at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.