Katlego Mashego backs Lyle Foster to revive Bafana Bafana career

Former Orlando Pirates striker Katlego Mashego has supported Pitso Mosimane’s decision to recall Lyle Foster, describing the Houston Dynamo forward as the best striker currently available to South Africa.

Speaking on SABC’s SoccerZone, Mashego, widely known as Mahoota, said Foster deserved the opportunity to work with the Bafana Bafana coach again despite his recent struggles for the national team.

Bafana Bafana are preparing for a crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday evening.

Foster was left out of Mosimane’s squad for the September camp and has also endured a lengthy spell without scoring for South Africa. His last international goal came at the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco, where he scored twice in four appearances.

One of those goals was a decisive late winner against Angola in Bafana Bafana’s opening match on 22 December 2025.

Mosimane recently acknowledged Foster’s quality and his previous goals during World Cup qualifying, but warned the 26-year-old that past performances would not guarantee his place. The coach said: “yesterday’s price isn’t today’s price”, while challenging Foster to work hard to return to his best level.

Mashego believes the recall will allow Mosimane to assess exactly what Foster can offer.

“Well, if you look at it, he’s the best we have. He must be the best striker we have right now at this moment; he’s playing abroad, he has played in England, and now in America.

“So I would think coach Pitso wants to have him in camp, so that he can see what he is working with. As he said, he was talking to him; probably the talks were positive, and he is looking forward to working with him and seeing what he has.

“Maybe he might turn him (Foster) around into the striker we all believe he is because he has got the capabilities. He’s got the potential as well, but now at this stage I think he needs to realise that he needs to show on the pitch as well; he needs to do it for his club and do it for the national team.”

Foster will nevertheless face strong competition for a starting position from the other forwards selected in Mosimane’s 27-man squad.

Iqraam Rayners, Cassius Mailula and Luther Singh are also competing for the central striking role. They are joined among the attacking options by Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng, Tashreeq Matthews, Puso Dithejane, Tshepang Moremi and Siyanda Ndlovu.

Mosimane has made clear that the responsibility now lies with Foster to prove his worth on the pitch. The match against Kenya could therefore give the forward an immediate chance to answer his critics and convince the technical team that he can again lead the Bafana Bafana attack.