Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
No Foster for Bafana, while Broos says Blom lacks the right attitude
LYLE Foster was a notable omission when Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos named a 23-man squad yesterday for the upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup Group C qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda later this month.
English Premier League club Burnley FC announced on Thursday that striker Foster has mental health issues, and while he receives professional help, he is currently absent from matches.
Burnley coach Vincent Kompany said it is not known when their star player will most likely return.
Broos had noticed some time ago that Foster was missing from Burnley line-ups, and he learnt from his fellow countryman Kompany that the player was receiving treatment.
At yesterday’s press conference, Broos said: “Lyle for the moment has a serious medical problem. The team (Burnley FC) asked us not to give further comment on that, and to respect the privacy of Lyle and his family in the next weeks.”
On Thursday, Burnley issued a statement, which read: “On behalf of Lyle Foster and his family, they have asked us to share with you an update on Lyle’s illness. Recently, Lyle let us know that he continues to live with issues around his mental well-being, and has reached out for help.
“He is in the care of specialists – giving him the support and care he needs to help him back to full health.”
Another notable absentee from the squad is St Louis City midfielder Njabulo Blom.
“So Njabulo sent us a message on Monday, saying that he will not come to the camp because he’s injured on his shoulder. And I think it’s very normal that we ask for a medical report, so we asked for it,” said Broos. Two days later, without sending a medical report, Njabulo Blom sends a message saying that he’s ready to play.
“This is not the right attitude, I find. It is up to you to think what attitude that is, and therefore I didn’t select him.”
Three 22-year-old players who have caught the eye in the DStv Premiership are surprise inclusions in the squad – Golden Arrows defender Bradley Cross, Stellenbosch FC midfielder Jayden Adams and Polokwane City attacker Oswin Appollis.
Bafana will take on Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on November 16, before travelling to Rwanda on November 19.
Bafana are now unbeaten in 11 games, winning six and drawing five.
However, a string of underwhelming draws has many doubting if the Belgian-born Broos can finally take South Africa to the next World Cup.
Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa, Ricardo Goss
Sydney Mobbie, Bradley Cross, Grant Kekana, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Siyanda Xulu, Mothobi Mvala, Khuliso Mudau
Teboho Mokoena, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Jayden Adams, Sphephelo Sithole
Themba Zwane, Zakhele Lepasa, Lebo Mothiba, Percy Tau, Oswin Appollis, Mihlali Mayambela, Thapelo Maseko, Bongokuhle Hlongwane*
THE 178th edition of the Soweto Derby today will not only be about bragging rights, but it could offer a lifeline to both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
The biggest sporting event in the country appears set to once again live up to its lofty billing at FNB Stadium this afternoon (3.30pm kick-off) dividing the country, families – and maybe even relationships.
However, given the mounting pressures on both sides due to their poor run of form in the DStv Premiership of late, the three log points will be key as well.
Pirates were expected to knock Mamelodi Sundowns off their perch for the title this term, but they’ve been battling as they are 12 points behind in the race.
But having already won the MTN8 – adding to their two trophies from last season – Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is still hopeful they can write their own story in the league.
And that’s why a victory over Amakhosi could go a long way towards writing the first chapter of that story – even though that will be easier said than done.
Chiefs are hunting their own redemption in the league, having also slacked in the title race and lost out on the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup before firing coach Molefi Ntseki.
It’s been a turbulent start for Chiefs, one that has seen Ntseki being replaced by Cavin Johnson on an interim basis, while the club’s fans were banned from the stadium for Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Cape Town Spurs due to their violent behaviour in
previous matches. With both teams having won their respective midweek fixtures in the league, the two sets of fans will be confident they can claim the bragging rights after the final whistle.
But Chiefs midfielder Keagan Dolly has added that there’s more at stake.
“I think this one will be very different because of the situation that both teams find themselves in,” Dolly said in the pre-match press briefing this week.
Chiefs are Dolly’s childhood club, and he is therefore living the dream. But things haven’t entirely gone according to plan for him at Naturena since his arrival two-and-a-half years ago. Chiefs are enduring an eightyear trophy drought, and Dolly has recently come back from a lengthy injury, which saw him missing out on the early stages of the campaign.
“It was a tough five months. Seeing the boys play especially in the first games of the season when we were doing well, you want to be part of that,” Dolly said.
“But given my history with injuries, I think this time was different. I was able to deal with it mentally.”
So now fully fit, Dolly wants to help the team at least save what’s left of the season, and ensure that he wins his fifth successive league derby against arch-rivals Pirates.