Pitso Mosimane has explained Lyle Foster’s omission from his first Bafana Bafana squad since returning as head coach, saying the striker’s lack of regular football made his selection difficult.
South Africa begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on 26 September before facing Eritrea in Egypt four days later. Mosimane’s squad will then remain in Egypt for a friendly against the hosts on 4 October.
Foster, who recently joined Houston after struggling for minutes at Burnley, was discussed directly with Mosimane before the squad was announced.
“I spoke to him personally,” Mosimane said. “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. He has moved to a new team as well. The last time we saw him play was in Mexico.”
Mosimane’s decision reflects his preference for selecting players who are currently competing regularly and can contribute immediately during the international window. Foster’s move to Major League Soccer could provide the 25-year-old with the consistent football he needs to return to the national team.
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Mosimane has also used his first squad to introduce a number of younger players, with Puso Dithejane and Shandre Campbell receiving their first call-ups under the returning coach.
Dithejane has impressed for Chicago Fire, while Campbell has continued his development in Belgium with KV Kortrijk. Mosimane is keen to see how the newcomers respond to joining a squad containing several 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,” he said. “What do they see when they look at this team? Do they see the World Cup and now they have a chance?”
For Foster, regular football in Houston offers a route back into Mosimane’s plans.