Mosimane challenges Foster to reclaim his best form with Bafana Bafana

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane says Lyle Foster must prove he is ready to return to his best after being recalled for this week’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Kenya.

Foster missed South Africa’s first camp under Mosimane in September but has since secured a loan move to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Houston Dynamo. The striker is now back with the national team and could feature at Orlando Stadium, his preferred venue and one located close to his home in Kasie (Noordgesig).

Mosimane confirmed he had held private discussions with Foster but said the details of those conversations would remain between the player and coach.

“We’ve had private conversations which I cannot reveal because that space between a player and a coach is sacred. We need to build trust and confidence between me and the players,” he said.

The Orlando Pirates youth product has recently started matches for his club, but Mosimane believes Foster still has work to do before reaching peak condition.

“Foster is playing and he has started games recently, but honestly he still has to catch up to get back to his peak level. Let’s see if his appetite is there because we all know he is a very good striker,” Mosimane added.

Foster was an important part of the Bafana Bafana side managed by Hugo Broos. He has scored 11 goals in 30 senior international appearances and previously said he wanted to challenge Benni McCarthy’s record of 31 goals as South Africa’s all-time leading scorer.

Mosimane said Foster’s past contribution, particularly during the team’s World Cup qualification campaign, meant he deserved the opportunity to return.

“I don’t think we can forget the goals he scored that allowed us to qualify for the World Cup. He is a top footballer, but as we all know in this game yesterday’s price is not today’s price so, let’s see where he is, 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,” he said.

The two AFCON qualifiers against Kenya will take place this week, with Orlando Stadium providing the setting for the matches. Foster’s familiarity with the ground adds to the significance of his return, although Mosimane stressed that the striker must now demonstrate his readiness on the pitch.

The coach also reported a positive start to the latest camp, with all the locally based players present alongside overseas-based trio Olwethu Makhanya, Luther Singh and Ime Okon. Some of the remaining overseas-based players were expected to arrive last night.

Several squad members had arrived carrying knocks and were not fully fit. Mosimane said the team would use the days before Friday’s match to assess those players and determine their condition.