Mosimane cites lack of playing time for Foster’s Bafana Bafana omission

Pitso Mosimane says Lyle Foster’s lack of regular football was the reason the striker was left out of his first Bafana Bafana squad since returning as head coach.

South Africa begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on 26 September, before meeting Eritrea in Egypt four days later.

Mosimane’s side will stay in Egypt for a friendly against the hosts on 4 October, giving the coach three matches in which to assess his 30-man squad and develop his team.

Foster is the most notable absentee after recently moving from Burnley to Houston Dynamo on loan until June 2027. Mosimane said he had spoken to the striker before making the decision not to select him.

“I spoke to him personally; he hasn’t been playing, he’s not on the team sheet and hasn’t played any friendly games, just a few minutes here and there, and he has moved (to a new team as well). The last time we saw him play was in Mexico,” Mosimane said.

The move to Houston Dynamo gives Foster the opportunity to rebuild his match fitness and find consistent playing time after struggling for regular minutes at Burnley.

Mosimane, however, said he wanted players who were actively involved with their clubs and ready to contribute during the international window.

The coach has also used the squad announcement to bring in a number of younger players. Puso Dithejane and Shandre Campbell have both received their first call-ups under Mosimane since his return.

Dithejane’s selection follows his performances for Chicago Fire, while Campbell has continued his development in Belgium with KV Kortrijk.

Mosimane said he was keen to see how the newcomers responded to joining a squad containing a significant group of players who represented South Africa at the 2026 World Cup.

“It’s very exciting for me to see what the reaction of the young ones is going to be, what do they see when they look at this team, do they see the World Cup and now they have a chance,” he said.

Their inclusion reflects Mosimane’s plan to introduce younger talent while retaining an established core of Bafana Bafana internationals.

The three fixtures in September and October will give Dithejane, Campbell and the other new arrivals an early chance to make an impression. Foster, meanwhile, will aim to use his time in Major League Soccer to restore his form and work his way back into Mosimane’s plans.