Afcon 2025 is around the corner, and Kaizer Chiefs’ goalkeeping icon, Itumeleng Khune, is bothered by Thembinkosi Lorch’s absence from Bafana Bafana.
Khune described it as something that has been sitting uncomfortably with him for months.
ITUMELENG KHUNE CALLS FOR THEMBINKOSI LORCH INCLUSION IN THE BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD
Watching Lorch rebuild his career at Wydad Athletic Club, Khune believes the national team can no longer pretend the attacker doesn’t exist. In 13 appearances for the Moroccan giants this season, Lorch has hit the net six times while creating three assists.
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Lorch hasn’t worn a Bafana Bafana jersey since 2022, shortly after Hugo Broos began his tenure. At the time, the exclusion raised eyebrows. Now, with Lorch making waves and standing tall on the global stage, those questions are getting louder.
Khune was careful to put out a respectful tone, saying he understands the responsibility of selecting a national squad and does not enjoy publicly questioning coaches. But as he put it, honesty forced his hand.
“I’m not one to question a national team coach’s selections, and anyone who knows me will tell you that I fully respect the process and the responsibility that comes with choosing a squad, but I have to be honest with myself and ask a question that has been bothering me for months now: where is Thembinkosi Lorch in this Bafana Bafana team?” the Kaizer Chiefs legend said via Soccer Laduma. “I say this with nothing but love for the badge and the players who have been selected.
“When I look at what Lorch is doing at Wydad right now, I can’t help but feel that his omission is becoming harder and harder to justify.
“The man is playing regularly, he is performing consistently, and he has rebuilt himself into the kind of attacking threat that any national team would want at their disposal.
“We saw him at the FIFA Club World Cup, and he didn’t hide, he didn’t shrink, he didn’t disappear.
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From Khune’s concluding perspective, the usual explanations don’t add up. Age? Lorch is 32, but older players are still trusted in the squad.