Hugo Broos addresses squad selection criticism, Lorch AFCON snub | OneFootball

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Broos speaks on criticism, omitting Lorch

Photo: Hugo Broos

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has addressed the criticism he has faced over his squad selection and the omission of in-form Thembinkosi Lorch from the AFCON squad.

The Belgian mentor has been under scrutiny from supporters, media, and pundits alike for snubbing certain players plying their trade abroad, including Gift Links, in addition to the Wydad Casablanca star.

However, Broos says he takes no issue with the criticism leveled against him, reiterating that his squad selection criteria won't be influenced by external factors in the media.

“I think after four years, you know me that whatever they say and write I just do what I want to do. And I read also the propositions of the media to take players with the group and I was laughing,” said the veteran tactician.

"I was really laughing because this shows again that some people of the media are not judging a player on his qualities but just because he's a friend of them or maybe they have an advantage to write about that in the paper.

The 73-year-old gaffer went on to make an example of Lorch, who was constantly tipped for a Bafana return as he has scored five goals and provided four assists in 11 appearances across all competitions.

“Okay we will talk about someone - for the last three months there was only one name that always came back, ‘Lorch, Lorch, Lorch.’ Did anyone see the performance of Lorch for the last two years? Nobody,” Broos added.

"He played in [Orlando] Pirates, he was out in the team, they kicked him out. He was happy that Rulani [Mokwena] was in [Mamelodi] Sundowns, he came in Sundowns he played a few games - finished, they kicked him out also.

"He went to Morocco, first year, now suddenly the last three months he played good. Don't you think that we know that? But I don't look at a player and say, ‘Yeah I like Lorch,’ no. I look what is his qualities offensively, defensively, can he help the team and when I evaluate that player, I have to say no he can't help us, finished, done, and then some people can be angry but some people can call me stubborn and whatever - they can do what they want, I just decide and that's all.

He concluded: "The boys I decide to call-up are the boys I believe in and they know it. I will never take somebody that I don't think will not help us. So, you can write what you want and say what you want, that's your job, so I understand that a little bit but it doesnt affect me at all and I think the media has to know it after four years. So, just go and propose and think I made the bad choices, it's your job.