Mosimane challenges Foster to seize South Africa recall

South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane has told Lyle Foster to make the most of his return to the Bafana Bafana squad, saying the striker must now prove he belongs at international level.

Foster was left out of Mosimane’s first camp last month, when Bafana Bafana beat Guinea and Eritrea in Afcon qualifiers before defeating Egypt in a friendly in Cairo.

The 26-year-old has since been recalled for two successive Afcon qualifiers against Kenya. The opening match is scheduled for Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday at 18:00, with the return fixture taking place in Nairobi four days later.

“It’s important to give him [Foster] a chance also, to be around. Let’s see, the appetite is there and you can only see it at training and in the match,” Mosimane said at a press conference in Milpark yesterday.

“Yes, a very good striker… I don’t think we can forget the goals he scored for us to qualify for the World Cup [he scored twice in 2026 World Cup qualifiers].”

Mosimane said Foster’s previous achievements would not guarantee him a place in the side.

“He’s a top player, but in football, yesterday’s price isn’t today’s price. Let’s see what he has… give him a chance to be part of the national team. It’s not up to me, it’s up to him now.”

Foster, who has previously experienced mental health problems, recently joined US Major League Soccer (MLS) club Houston Dynamo on loan from Burnley, who play in the English second tier.

He has made eight appearances for Houston Dynamo and scored once since moving to the United States.

Mosimane said he had spoken privately with Foster about his mental wellbeing, but would not disclose the details of those discussions.

“We had a private conversation. I can’t say what we talk about because I must protect myself and the player, and respect because that space is sacred,” he said.

“We need to build trust and confidence within the team or between me and the players.”

Foster joined Burnley from Belgian club KVC Westerlo in January 2025, but Mosimane believes he still has work to do before returning to the level he showed when he moved to the United Kingdom.

“I believe he is playing now few minutes not 90 minutes, but it’s very good that he’s starting and all that,” Mosimane added.

“Honestly he still has a lot of work to catch up to be at his peak, where he was when he went to the UK.”

Only three of the seven overseas-based players in the squad – Olwethu Makhanya, Luther Singh and Ime Okon – had trained by yesterday afternoon.

Relebohile Mofokeng, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Puso Dithejane and Samukele Kabini were expected to arrive last night.