Mosimane Throws Lyle Foster a Challenge: Past Form Won’t Guarantee a Start

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has recalled Houston Dynamo striker Lyle Foster for the important 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya, but he has made it clear that the 26-year-old must still prove himself.

Foster missed Mosimane’s first camp in September. The coach has now brought him back for the double-header and says past achievements will not automatically secure him a place in the starting line-up. “Yesterday’s price is not today’s price,” Mosimane said. “I just want to give him the opportunity to be part of the national team. It is not up to me, it’s up to him now.”

The two have spoken privately since Foster’s absence. Mosimane refused to reveal details of those talks, calling the relationship between player and coach a sacred space that needs trust and confidence. He acknowledged that Foster has started games again recently for his club but is not yet at his best. “Foster is playing, and he has started games recently, but honestly he still has to catch up to get back to his peak level,” Mosimane explained. “Let’s see if his appetite is there because we all know he is a very good striker.”

Under previous coach Hugo Broos, Foster became an important figure for Bafana. He scored 11 goals in 33 international appearances and played a role in South Africa’s successful 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Foster has openly said he wants to break Benni McCarthy’s record of 31 goals as Bafana’s all-time top scorer. The situation now has extra meaning because McCarthy is the coach of Kenya and will be on the opposite bench for both matches.

South Africa host Kenya at Orlando Stadium on Friday, 13 November, before travelling to Nairobi for the return leg on Tuesday, 17 November. Bafana sit top of their qualifying group after strong wins over Guinea and Eritrea earlier in the campaign. Mosimane is also keeping a close eye on several players who arrived at camp carrying injuries, with the medical team assessing their readiness.

For Foster, the message from the coach is straightforward. The door is open, but he must walk through it himself. Mosimane is giving him the chance, yet selection will depend on what he shows in training and how hungry he is to perform at the highest level once again. With McCarthy waiting across the touchline, the pressure is on Foster to respond.

Source: https://x.com/MDNnewss/status/2120467688208150559?a=Nyh3Blsi69WRIH4b7-o&s=19

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