Broos opens up about ‘lazy’ Lyle Foster in Bafana Bafana draw against Panama

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has challenged Lyle Foster to step up after failing to take his chances in the 1-1 draw against Panama at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

The Burnley striker had chances to convert but ended up wasting them, including failing to pass the ball to unmarked Oswin Appollis in the second, a couple of yards out of the goal.

At times, the forward looked uninterested as opposed to the other attackers. However, he remains firmly in Broos’ plans ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada.

In the 25 games played for South Africa since 2020, Foster has scored 10 goals and managed three assists.

Bafana Bafana’s Broos opens up on ‘lazy’ Foster

“For me Lyle is a very good striker, but sometimes he’s a little bit lazy in the game. I told him a few days ago that we need someone that moves more, that puts the defenders more under pressure,” Broos opened

“In the first half, he did some moments, but the second half was much better. Lyle moves a lot, he’s quick, he’s strong. He can be more dangerous than when he’s waiting for the ball. I know he’s strong also when you’re giving him the ball in the feet, we don’t use so much of such balls, this is not our game.

“We don’t play with someone in attack who will keep the ball and then players who are playing around. We play football that needs movement and also for the strikers. Again, Lyle was tired after an hour or after 70 minutes. But okay, I like more that he’s tired after 70 minutes then angry or frustrated that we don’t move him,” he added.

Zwane has World Cup place for Bafana Bafana

“I think everybody saw why I put [Zwane] in the team. He is such a good player. He made us play better football. But I knew also that he’s not ready to play 90 minutes. And we have to take attention with him and be careful with him, not to overload him because when you overload him, he could have injuries, I’m sure of it,” Broos continued.

“So therefore, that was the reason why he came out after 55 minutes. We will see him next Tuesday, he’ll recuperate. And if he recuperates, he will play again, because he needs that. And I hope also, but yeah, this is not…I cannot decide about that, but I hope that he gets more playing time at Sundowns also because he needs that rhythm of the game. He needs those minutes to play.

“We saw a few moments also in the game when he was a little bit too slow. And that the reason of that is because he doesn’t play enough. Broos said Zwane is assured of a place in the squad for the June World Cup, provided he maintains his current fitness levels, even if he is not yet ready to complete a full 90 minutes.

“But again, if Themba stays like he is now, fit, no injuries, then even when he’s not ready for 90 minutes, he will be with us at the World Cup,” the veteran Belgian concluded..