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SOUTH Africa coach Hugo Broos has explained his decision to recall Burnley striker Lyle Foster to Bafana Bafana for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The 23-year-old last appeared in national team colours in October 2023 and has been out of action due to a battle around mental wellness.
Foster requested to not be included in the Bafana Bafana squad that went to AFCON in January and returned with a bronze medal. However, the marksman returns to the squad for World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe next week.
Speaking on SABC Sport during the announcement of the final squad, Broos explained why he had decided to recall the Burnley man.
“His health problem is solved, that was the problem,” the Belgian revealed.
“I know I was also myself very angry at a certain moment because from England, we got the news that Lyle Foster was not ready, Lyle had a mental problem and so on and so on . . .
“Then suddenly, he starts playing with the team Burnley. So, we had contact again with England (Burnley) and they said that he is not ready.
“And also, Lyle wrote us a letter that he didn’t want to go with us to AFCON because he was not ready. That’s the reason why Lyle was not with us in Cote d’Ivoire.
“So, after that, for March, I made again contact, and again they told me, ‘No’, it’s better that you don’t call him for the moment because he is not 100 percent, still not really 100 percent’, and that’s why he was not with us in March.
“But he still played (for Burnley), he always played, every game for Burnley.
“So, it was not easy to accept that. But okay, I followed, let’s say the medical reasons why I couldn’t take him, but now everything was okay.
“I phoned him, I called him and we had a good chat. I called Vincent Kompany, we had a good chat, so there are no problems anymore. And that’s the reason why Lyle is now again with us.”
Bafana take on Nigeria on June 7 in Uyo, Nigeria, before returning home to host Zimbabwe at Free State stadium in Bloemfontein on June 11.
The Bafana Bafana coach also shed some light on some light on the selection of Orlando Pirates’ rising star Relebohile Mofokeng into the final 23-man squad.
Ahead of the trip to the West African country, one of two new faces in Broos’ Bafana is Pirates’ Mofokeng, who has been sensational for the Buccaneers this season.
The 19-year-old has contributed four goals and seven assists in 37 appearances from all competitions in his second season of top-flight football.
Speaking on SABC Sport after the squad announcement, the Belgian praised the youngster’s work ethic but warned that he would not be a starter.
“With young players, you have to be a little bit careful,” Broos said.
“From the moment he played with Pirates, everyone saw that, ‘Okay, wow! That’s a guy with quality’. You can have a good period and have a down period, but with him, there was no down period.
“So, every game he was there and he has something. You can’t explain it. He is always there. “And it’s not one thing, he is not doing only his offensive work, but he is also doing his defensive work.
“I would not ask that he defend or tackle, but no, his position is good. So, we analysed very well and I think I should have been crazy from my side not to take him with us.
“Even if he is only 19 and even if he doesn’t have international experience, one day he has to take [get] the international experience, so we will see.”
“He will not be with us as a standard player, but maybe when things don’t go well in a game, you can put him in the last 20 minutes. He is a guy that can force something.” – Kickoff.com.
Online Reporter