Lyle Foster: Vincent Kompany Responds to Hugo Broos’ Comments on Burnley Striker

• Vincent Kompany has addressed the Lyle Foster situation
• The Burnley manager was responding to comments by Hugo Broos
• Broos was seeking answers as to why Foster couldn't play at the 2023 AFCON

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany has hit back at South Africa coach Hugo Broos who appeared to accuse Lyle Foster of refusing to play for his country at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Foster asked not to be called up to the national team but continued to play for Burnley during the tournament.

The striker was named into Bafana Bafana's provisional squad but was abset in the final squad to Ivory Coast.

After the tournament, Broos was still seeking clarity as to why the striker couldn't play at AFCON for South Africa, despite suiting up for the Clarets.

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Broos said they were told not to call up Foster, but he was surprised to see him play for the English club.

"We put everything together, and we concluded that it’s not good to call Foster,” said Broos via Far Post.

“But then he starts playing and he plays every game, 90 minutes in England. He plays also several games in a week. And then I’m asking myself why it wasn’t possible that he came with us to Ivory Coast,”

Broos led Bafana Bafana to a third-place finish in Ivory Coast, surprising many who felt they couldn't go as far as the semi-final.

Kompany responds to Broos

Speaking ahead of Burnley's clash with Arsenal, Kompany addressed the Foster situation.

"You can be physically fit, but you can also mentally be in a position where it’s not a possibility for you to go away to a tournament for a month if you’re not in the right headspace or you don’t have the capacity to deal with that, said Kompany via iDiski Times.

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“We’ve been very open about it. You come out of the rehab clinic; you’re dealing with a problem that is beyond football. It’s life."

The former Manchester City captain also disclosed that his striker has suffered a new injury setback and will be out for a while.

South Africa's best players at AFCON

Sports Brief also previously reported on Bafana's top 5 players at AFCON 2023.

Goalkeeper and captain, Ronwen Williams, was by far South Africa's best player.

Khuliso Mudau and Teboho Mokoena also put forward consistent performances.