Bafana Bafana’s Williams tells critics off after Foster’s struggles: ‘Without quality you can’t play in EPL’

Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has urged Bafana Bafana fans to rally behind Burnley striker Lyle Foster.

The Orlando Pirates product was at fault on Friday in the 1-1 draw, missing many chances and failing to create even when in the best position. It invited backlash from a section of supporters who felt South Africa need another clinical striker.

Nevertheless, Williams believes Foster is a quality player who has continued to deliver despite some struggles. He argued that the striker couldn’t be in the English Premier League without performing.

Bafana Bafana’s Foster has the needed quality

“Lyle is a big boy. You don’t play in the Premiership for so many years if you don’t have quality, and that’s what you’ve just reminded him of – that you are quality. Yes, he’s probably in a difficult moment, not only with the national team but also with his club team,” he said in a presser.

“So, it is a difficult moment for him, and people need to understand that when you look at where his team is and how difficult it is for him. But for him to wake up every day, show his face, show up, try and go again, miss chances, and look for the next one, keep running, keep working for the team – that’s all we can ask of him.

“Eventually, the ball will go in the back of the net because he’s got the quality. You know, he’s still the same person he’s always been, bubbly,” Williams continued,

Support him in good and bad moments

“I’ve been trying to keep an eye on him, and he seems like he’s okay, so there isn’t too much going on at this moment. I just think he needs that goal, just to get his confidence back. Because strikers, like everyone, when the ball is in the net, then they’re confident, then they forget about all their problems,” the South Africa skipper added.

“So hopefully tomorrow [tonight] night, the chances he gets, he can bury them, and he can go back to England happy, especially these last two months of the league, to go and push and fight and come help us, because we need him.

“He’s our powerhouse up front. He’s been amazing for us. He scored wonderful goals at AFCON for us. So, we need Lyle in good spirits. And you know the country must support him. You know he’s our player, and he’s done wonders for our country, so get behind him. Support him in good and bad moments, because he will bang goals,” Williams concluded.