Mosimane challenges Foster to claim Bafana Bafana’s number nine role

Pitso Mosimane says Lyle Foster has the opportunity to establish himself as Bafana Bafana’s regular number nine, but insists the responsibility for securing the position ultimately rests with the striker.

The centre-forward has returned to the squad for the first time since representing South Africa at the FIFA World Cup a few months ago. Foster recently moved to Major League Soccer side Houston Dynamo from English Championship club Burnley, who were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season.

The number nine position remains one of Bafana Bafana’s unresolved issues, with Mosimane prepared to give players the opportunity to demonstrate that they can provide a consistent threat in front of goal.

When Mosimane previously managed the national team, he faced criticism for repeatedly selecting Katlego Mphela. The coach defended that decision by asking who else was available at the time, arguing that few strikers had done enough to address South Africa’s long-standing scoring problems.

More than a decade later, Mosimane believes Foster should be given the chance to show whether he can become the answer.

“I believe he is playing now, a few minutes. Honestly, he still has a lot of work to catch up, to be at his peak, when he went to the UK,” Mosimane told media.

“It’s important to give him a chance also, to be around and let’s see if the appetite is there and you can only see that from training and from the match. Yes, very good striker. I don’t think we can forget the goals he scored for us to qualify for the World Cup. He is a top player.”

Foster played an important role in South Africa’s qualification campaign for the World Cup, and Mosimane said his return to the international set-up should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a guarantee of selection.

“For me, it’s to give him an opportunity to be part of the national team. It’s not up to me, it’s up to him,” he said.

“I do what I have to do and I must remain consistent. Lyle must be given a chance to be part of the national team because they work so hard to be in AFCON and for us to be in the World Cup.”

Foster was not present when Bafana Bafana began training at Milpark Stadium on Monday. However, he and several other players based overseas are expected to join the squad at the same venue today.