It’s Over for Thembinkosi Lorch’s Bafana Dream After AFCON Omission

Thembinkosi Lorch’s latest masterclass for Wydad Casablanca may have impressed fans across the continent, but it has done nothing to sway Hugo Broos. With the Wydad star once again overlooked in South Africa’s preliminary squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the message is now clearer than ever: Lorch’s Bafana Bafana journey is effectively over.

The 32-year-old produced another standout display for Wydad in their 3–0 CAF Confederation Cup victory over Nairobi United, delivering an early assist and tormenting the Kenyan debutants throughout the match. In Morocco, he is a first-team pillar. Back home? He is no longer part of Broos’ plans.

Broos closes the door on former Orlando Pirates player

Broos has been blunt about the reasons behind Lorch’s continuous omission—age, inconsistency over recent seasons, and his long-term vision for a younger, future-focused national team. Even Lorch’s recent resurgence at Wydad hasn’t changed the Belgian’s stance.

“This is not the future. I’m very sorry,” Broos said when asked again about Lorch. “Even though he’s playing well in Morocco, I don’t see any reason to take him with the team.”

And with Broos naming a massive 55-man preliminary squad for Morocco 2025—still without Lorch—there is no remaining argument that the attacker is simply “unlucky” or “waiting for his chance.” Broos selected every possible option, including returning veteran Themba Zwane, youngsters Shandre Campbell and Tylon Smith, and even fringe players like Brandon Petersen and Puso Dithejane.

But no Lorch.
Not even a courtesy call-up.
Not even a placeholder name.

This omission confirms that Lorch is not part of the present or the future of Bafana Bafana under Broos.

Lorch’s performances no longer enough

At Wydad, Lorch continues to deliver big-match performances—assists, chances created, game-changing moments. In Morocco, he is valued. In South Africa, Broos has moved on.

Even Orlando Pirates legend Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi recently argued that Lorch could still transform Bafana with his creativity in the No.10 role. But Broos isn’t budging. The national team boss believes his current blueprint—powered by Mokoena, Sithole, Foster, Mudau and others—must evolve forward, not backward.

Final verdict

With Bafana Bafana heading into AFCON grouped with Zimbabwe, Angola, and giants Egypt, Broos has made it obvious who he trusts to take the nation into a new era. And no matter how brightly Lorch shines in Morocco, the door has been shut.

Thembinkosi Lorch’s dream of returning to Bafana Bafana is all but over. AFCON 2025 confirms it.