Bafana Bafana forward Thembinkosi Lorch has reacted after his Man of the Match performance against Egypt where he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win to send his team into the quarterfinals.

Bafana only just qualified for the knockout stages as they finished as the fourth best placed team in third at the end of the group stages.

They were then pitted against the host and were given little chance of progression by fans and the media.

Lorch, however, was drafted into the starting line-up for the game to make his first appearance of the tournament much to the delight of Bafana Bafana fans who have been calling for him to play.

Thembinkosi Lorch; Toast of the Nation

1st AFCON appearance and with a BIG, BIG goal ⚽️#EGYRSA #TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/R0ODzty95t

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) July 7, 2019

Lorch grabbed his opportunity with both hands and couldn’t quite believe what was going on when he calmly fired Bafana into the lead.

‘They were disappointed after scoring the goal. After scoring the goal, no one was shouting, I thought it wasn’t a goal and when I looked the referee was pointing at the centre,’ Lorch told reporters after the game.

‘It was difficult to play against Egypt on their home ground.But we had a plan, and I think our plan worked because the coach told us ‘you must press them high,’ added the Pirates star.

The goal by Thembinkosi Lorch that silenced the whole of Egypt #AFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/5gmiQDiu8T

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) July 6, 2019

‘You saw they couldn’t play, they were always kicking the ball forward and even the goal we got them on the transition and managed to get the goal and settle down.’

Lorch also admitted to being motivated by the fans who have been calling for his inclusion.

‘I had to wait for my chance and when I got it use it, that’s what I did, and I think I wanted to make the supporters back home happy,’ he concluded.