Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has spoken candidly about Lyle Foster following criticism of the striker’s missed chances against Panama.
South Africa drew 1-1 with the Central American side in their first of the two meetings at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.
The teams are set to face off again in a second friendly at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday, both aiming for a stronger showing.
Broos praised his team’s overall performance, noting improvements compared to their AFCON displays earlier this year.
Addressing Foster’s outing, the coach admitted the Burnley forward has quality but can appear lazy at times, adding that he has urged him to be more of a constant threat to defenders.
“For me Lyle is a very good striker, but sometimes he’s a little bit lazy in the game,” said Broos in the post-match press conference.
“I told him a few days ago that we need someone that moves more, that puts the defenders more under pressure.
“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.”
Foster has scored 10 goals, with three assists in 25 games for the senior national team since making his debut back in 2020 under then head coach Molefi Ntseki.
