Orlando Pirates Ace Thembinkosi Lorch Surprised by Hugo Broos Bafana Bafana Recall After Poor Run of Form

• Orlando Pirates' star midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch revealed that he did not expect to be recalled to the Bafana Bafana setup any time soon
• Lorch has endured a less-than-impressive run in the Buccaneers' colours in recent times, which saw him fall out of favour with coach Hugo Broos
• His inclusion comes at a time when other players who impressed this past season have been controversially left out by the Belgian

Star Orlando Pirates midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch said that his recall to into the Bafana Bafana setup came as a surprise to him.

The 28-year-old has been out of sorts in recent seasons (apart from a recent late resurgence in form), which saw him fall out of favour with Hugo Broos when he was appointed as coach last year.

As reported by TimesLIVE, the Belgian included him in the daunting 2023 AFCON qualifying match against Morocco in Rabat on Thursday.

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Lorch said:

“I’d like to thank all those who supported me. It was not an easy season for me with all the injuries that I had. I am happy that I am back in the Bafana team and I am looking forward to the game.

“To be honest, I think it was too soon for me. I did not expect it but I knew that it was going to come because my performance was going up and I was helping the team to win the games.

Lorch will go down in African footballing lore after his goal sent hosts Egypt crashing out of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, which is around the time his form started dipping.

His rather interesting admission comes as the furore around the exclusion of Mamelodi Sundowns lynchpins Andile Jali and Themba Zwane continued to be snubbed by Broos. Jali was named the DStv Premiership Midfielder of the Season, MTN8 Last Man Standing and Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament, as per Kick Off.

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However, the Bafana mentor stuck to his guns regardless, saying:

"Don't focus on the fact that Jali and Zwane have five trophies. I look through that and again, I said it from the beginning, and I've said it now, and I'll say it in two years when I'm still here. I am very sorry, but I don't see why I should select Jali or Zwane."

Hugo Broos announces 23-man Bafana Bafana squad to battle Morocco in Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in June

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has whittled down his South African national team squad to 23.

As reported by Sports Brief, the 23-man squad will take on Morocco in June in their first Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The game will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco, on June 9. Broos originally selected 37 players in his preliminary squad before trimming it to 23.