South Africa Coach on Lorch: "Some May Call Me Stubborn, But I Will Never Call Up a Player I Don't Believe Will Help Us"

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has once again addressed the exclusion of Wydad AC player Thembinkosi Lorch from the squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Broos reiterated his firm stance that he will not call up any player who he believes will not contribute to Bafana Bafana.

During a press conference, Broos stated: "For the past three months, there has only been one name constantly repeated: Lorch, Lorch, Lorch. But has everyone seen Lorch's performance over the last two years? No one. He played in France and was excluded from the team. He was happy when Rulani (Mokwena) was at Sundowns. He played some games there, and then it ended, and he was excluded again."

He further explained: "Lorch went to Morocco in his first year, and now suddenly, only in the last three months, he has started playing well. Don't you think we don't know this? But I don't look at a player and say, 'Oh yes, I like Lorch.' No. I look at his quality offensively and defensively. Can he help the team? And when I evaluated him, I said: 'No, he cannot help us. Finished. The matter is decided.'"

Broos concluded: "Some may describe me as stubborn or whatever. Let them do what they want. I am the only one who decides, and that's it. The players I choose are the players I believe in. I will never call up a player I don't believe will help us. I understand that you are a little upset, but this does not affect me at all, and I think after four years, the media should know that. Just go about your work, present what you have, and assume I made the wrong decision."