‘Be so good they can’t ignore you’ – Mokwena urges Thembinkosi Lorch to fight for Bafana Bafana return

MC Alger coach Rulani Mokwena has encouraged striker Thembinkosi Lorch to remain optimistic about his international future despite being overlooked by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.

Mokwena, who previously coached Lorch at both Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Casablanca, believes the forward can still fight his way back into the national team.

The 32-year-old has impressed in Morocco, scoring five goals this season for Wydad, yet continues to be ignored for selection.

Broos has cited Lorch’s age as a concern, though critics point out the inconsistency given that 36-year-old Themba Zwane remains a key figure in the coach’s plans when fit.

Mokwena says Zwane’s career path should serve as motivation for Lorch ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“In football, anything can change at any time, and for Lorch, he just needs to have a look at Themba Zwane as a source of inspiration because Themba Zwane was in the same position that he is,” Mokwena told the South African Football Journalists Association.

“I remember saying to ‘Mshishi’ (Zwane), ‘You’ve got to be so good that it is difficult to ignore you.’ That is exactly what ‘Mshishi’ did.”

Mokwena recalled that Broos initially excluded Zwane when he took over but later admitted he was wrong.

“To the credit of Hugo Broos, he mentioned that in the earlier part of his reign as Bafana head coach, he felt that it was one of the things he had gotten wrong,” Mokwena said.

“For a coach to say this publicly, we have to give a lot of credit to Hugo Broos for that. This means if he could rescind his opinion about Themba Zwane, I think, for sure, if Lorch continues the way he is doing, he has a chance at Bafana.”

Mokwena added that Wydad officials have praised Lorch’s professionalism and attitude.

“If he continues like this, there are a lot of possibilities for him to be re-inducted into the Bafana Bafana fold,” he said.

Broos recently noted that his AFCON squad is “75% selected,” leaving some room for late inclusions. Whether Lorch can force his way back remains to be seen.