BAFANA Bafana coach Hugo Broos has brought back Orlando Pirates forward Thembinkosi Lorch to the squad that will face Morocco in the opening Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Rabat on 9 June.
Lorch is back after his recent run of good form for Orlando Pirates, especially against RS Berkane of Morocco in the Caf Confederation Cup final and against Maritzburg United in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday.
The former PSL Footballer of the Year scored the equaliser against Berkane in the 1-1 draw after extra time but suffered heartache as he missed the crucial penalty which saw the Moroccans win the Confed Cup 5-4 in the penalty shootout.
Lorch was in scintillating form in Tuesday’s 4-1 league win over the Team of Choice, being involved in all four goals, scoring one and setting up the other three.
Lorch’s creativity is needed as Broos has continued to overlook the services of Themba Zwane, who has been consistent this season for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Bafana are in the three team Group K after Zimbabwe’s Fifa ban was not lifted and they were disqualified, with Liberia the other nation.
However, this has not changed the sequence as the top two will qualify for the Afcon finals that will take place in Ivory Coast next June.
Broos said: “This has created a problem for me and we have to ensure that we beat Morocco so that we can qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. We are also at the stage now where we are no longer building, but we need success in this squad because they have been with me for some time.”
BAFANA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa, Bruce BvumaDefenders: Nyiko Mobbie, Khuliso Mudau, Bandile Shandu, Grant Kekana, Thibang Phete, Taariq Fielies, Terrence Mashego, Lyle Lakay, Innocent Maela
Midfielders: Sphephelo Sithole, Goodman Mosele, Yusuf Maart, Phathutshedzo Nange
Strikers: Thembinkosi Lorch, Evidence Makgopa, Khanyisa Mayo, Fagrie Lakay, Lyle Foster, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Percy Tau
