Lyle Foster: Bafana Coach Hugo Broos Gives Update on Burnley Striker’s Potential Return

• Hugo Broos is planning to bring back Lyle Foster to the national team
• The Bafana coach will meet the striker and his coach, Vincent Kompany
• Foster's return hinges on mutual agreement between him, Broos, and SAFA

South Africa head coach, Hugo Broos, has sketched a timeline for Burnley striker Lyle Foster's potential comeback to the national side.

Broos and his crew are currently in camp preparing for the FIFA Series international friendlies in Algeria.

The team's itinerary includes a clash with Andorra on Thursday, March 21, followed by a showdown against the host nation in Algiers five days later.

Foster's absence from the Bafana Bafana goes back to October 2023, when he reportedly grappled with mental health-related issues. This saw him miss out on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where the team clinched a historic bronze medal.

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The 23-year-old's appearances for the Clarets in the Premier League during the tournament in Abidjan, despite his mental health plight, stirred controversy. Nonetheless, the manager is keen on reintegrating the promising forward into the team setup.

The Belgian also discussed plans to talk to the striker and coach Vincent Kompany in April to chart a way forward.

"I will try to have contact in the next week with Kompany when I’m in Belgium I can go and see a game of Burnley, talk to Foster on what we can expect in the future from him. We are certainly looking for him for the games in June," said Broos, as quoted by Far Post.

The 71-year-old had previously voiced dismay over the scant communication and erratic updates from Foster and his club concerning his fitness status.

"I messaged the South African Football Association doctor to make contact with Burnley and see what’s happening. But it will not be, 'OK, Lyle, come now', like nothing happened. I will talk to him first and see how he sees the situation," said Broos, as quoted by Times Live.

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Broos announces Bafana preliminary squad

Sports Brief reported that Broos released a 32-man preliminary squad for Bafana's friendly games.

The squad will reunite for the first time since defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo to finish third at the AFCON 2O23.

Al Ahly star Percy Tau, who was part of the team in Ivory Coast, missed out on the latest call-up.