Mosimane Fires Warning Shot at Lyle Foster After Bafana Recall

Pitso Mosimane has sent a clear message to Lyle Foster after calling the striker back into the Bafana Bafana squad. The coach says Foster still has plenty of work to do before he can be considered back at his best.

Foster, who is on loan at Houston Dynamo from Burnley, has been given another chance with the national team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya. Mosimane confirmed that he has already spoken privately with the 26-year-old forward.

“We’ve had private conversations that I can’t say, because I need to protect myself and the player,” Mosimane said. “That space is sacred. We need to build trust and confidence within the team or between me and the players.”

The coach is happy that Foster is getting minutes again, but he is not fully convinced yet. “I believe he’s playing now, a few minutes, not all 90 minutes but very good start, he is starting and all that,” Mosimane explained. “Honestly, he still has a lot of work to catch up, to be at his peak when he went to the UK. But also important to give him a chance to be around and let’s see.”

Foster played an important role when South Africa qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring key goals along the way. Mosimane has not forgotten that contribution. “The appetite is there, you can only see at training, on the matches and yes, very good striker. I don’t think we can all forget the goals he scored for us to qualify for the World Cup, he is a top player right?”

At the same time, the coach made it clear that past performances do not guarantee a place in the team now. “But you know in football yesterday’s prize is not today’s prize,” he said. “It’s not up to me, it’s up to him. I do what I have to do and I must remain consistent, even with other players.”

Mosimane pointed out that other players who were previously left out, such as Tshepang Moremi and Thalente Mbatha, have also been brought back. He expects Foster to do the same and earn his place through hard work and form.

Foster has faced challenges at both club and international level in recent times. His move to the MLS has given him a fresh start, and Bafana will be watching closely to see if he can deliver when it matters most against Kenya. For now, Mosimane is giving him the opportunity, but the message is clear: more is expected.

Source: https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2120094244358508795?a=UoD2Cqvxl2EL3t9hO0o&s=19

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