Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has told striker Lyle Foster that he must prove he is back to his best after recalling him to the national team.
Foster missed the previous camp. This is his first call-up since Mosimane took over as head coach.
“He’s still a long way off his peak from when he went to the UK, but we have to give him a chance to prove that he’s back. I need to see the hunger and I can only see that at training and at the game,” Mosimane said.
Mosimane spoke at Wits Stadium, where Bafana Bafana started their preparations for two matches against Kenya, IOL Sport reported.
The 25-year-old Foster is a Burnley player. He is currently on loan at Houston Dynamo.
The coach said Foster’s quality was not in doubt. He pointed to the goals the striker scored for South Africa in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“He’s a very good striker, we can’t forget the goals he’s scored for Bafana qualifying for the World Cup and previous AFCON competitions,” Mosimane said.
He added a warning. “But we are aware that in football, today’s price is not tomorrow’s price, just like in business, but we have to give him a chance.”
Mosimane made it clear that past goals alone would not keep Foster in the team. He said the striker must show his hunger and commitment in training and in matches.
“It’s all in his hands now,” the coach said.
Mosimane said he would use the same approach with other players who were part of the World Cup squad but missed his first camp. He named Tshepang Moremi and Thalente Mbatha.
“I just have to be consistent in that approach with the likes of Tshepang Moremi and Thalente Mbatha who may have missed out in the first camp for whatever reason,” he said.
“All of these players were a part of the World Cup group so we must give them a chance if they’re still at the same level, of course, physically and mentally, because everyone here is talent,” Mosimane said.
Mosimane made it clear that selection would depend on how players perform, not on their reputation.
Foster, Moremi and Mbatha will now have the chance to show their form during the Kenya double-header.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.