Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster has a challenge to prove he deserves a place in coach Pitso Mosimane's squad after receiving his first call up in the new regime.
Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has challenged Lyle Foster to prove that he can rediscover his best form after recalling the striker to the national team squad.
Foster is back in the national team setup after missing the previous camp, but Mosimane has made it clear that the Burnley forward (on loan at Houston Dynamo) still has work to do before he can be considered at his peak.
Speaking at Wits Stadium as Bafana began preparations for their upcoming matches against Kenya, Mosimane acknowledged Foster’s quality but stressed that the striker must demonstrate his hunger and commitment on the training ground and during matches.
“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.
The coach, however, was quick to remind critics of what Foster has previously contributed to the national team, particularly during their qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and previous Africa Cup of Nations competitions.
“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. 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’s comments suggest that Foster’s reputation will not be enough to secure him a regular place in the team. The 25-year-old must show that he can still deliver at the level expected of him.
The Bafana coach also emphasised that his approach would extend to other players who were part of the World Cup squad but missed out on the previous selection, including Tshepang Moremi and Thalente Mbatha.
“It’s all in his hands now and 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.
“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.”
Foster now has an opportunity to make a statement during the Kenya double-header, with Mosimane making it clear that selection will be determined by performance rather than reputation.