Lyle Foster: Concerns Over Availability of Burnley Star at AFCON 2023 As Kompany Provides Update

• Lyle Foster is doubtful for the forthcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast
• The striker has not been on the pitch since October and there are concerns over his health status
• Burnley coach Vincent Kompany has hinted that the forward is ready for international football

With barely less than one month to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Burnley head coach Vincent Kompany has disclosed that Lyle Foster might not be ready.

Foster has been included in Hugo Broos' 50-man list for the forthcoming continental showpiece in Ivory Coast.

But the striker has not played a competitive match since October amid concerns over his health status.

It was gathered that the 23-year-old was injured and was subsequently left out of the team that played the World Cup qualifiers in November.

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Although he has been named in the provisional squad for AFCON, reports indicate that the striker might not be available for the tournament.

Vincent Kompany said, as per iDiski Times:

“Unfortunately, at the moment, he’s not in a position where he can go to the national team, he just can’t. His love for his country has no limits, and his desire to do well has no limits but that would be going against the advice of every expert that has been assisting him in recent months.

“I’m a coach from African origin so for me the AFCON is very important and I feel very proud of any player representing us there because I think that tournament deserves the same importance as the Euros but, for his condition specifically, the human being, he’s not at a stage yet where he can do any of that."

Hugo Broos announces provisional squad for AFCON

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Sports Brief previously reported that Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos is gearing up to submit his preliminary squad to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals scheduled in the Ivory Coast.

The final squad list will be conveyed to CAF between January 2 and 3 next year, with the squad scheduled to assemble for the tournament on January 4, 2024.

While preparations for the tournament intensify, talks between the South African Football Association (SAFA) and Bafana players regarding bonus fees are reportedly at a standstill.