Lorch puts pressure on Broos

Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Thembinkosi Lorch has raised his hand for a Bafana Bafana recall after he continued to impress in front of head coach Hugo Broos at Danie Craven Stadium.

Broos returned to the country a month before the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume and was in the stands, alongside his assistant coach Helman Mkhalele, at the Western Cape venue during Sundowns' 2-1 win over Stellenbosch FC in the Nedbank Cup. 

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Lorch has found his best form in six seasons, only second to when he was crowned Footballer of the Season in the 2018/19 campaign, with Rulani Mokwena as assistant coach at Orlando Pirates, in just four months at the Brazilians.

'Nyoso' scored his sixth goal of the season in all competitions for Sundowns since arriving in the January transfer window from Pirates.

The 30-year-old, with six goals currently, has equalled all the goals he scored at the Soweto giants for the past five-and-a-half seasons combined after netting his side's second goal with a header against Stellies.

Downs legend Hlompho Kekana believes what made the difference with Lorch is the environment and the quality of players he's playing with at the Chloorkop-based side. 

"The difference is the environment. Look at the players that he's playing with, if you look at the harmony amongst these players, they love to play with each other," Kekana said, speaking on SABC Sport.

"You've never seen him score with a head (Lorch scored with his head against Chiefs and Stellies). Look at the harmony when they score, you've seen (Peter) Shalulile on the bench when they played against Chiefs, how jubilant he was when any player scored.

"That tells you there's harmony and it will take you to