Broos still looking for answers on the Foster situation

Speaking to the traveling South African media yesterday, ahead of today's return to Johannesburg with the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) bronze medalists, Broos says he still can’t understand why Foster couldn’t join Bafana in Côte d'Ivoire. 

READ: Hugo Broos lauded for Bafana squad selection as World Cup hopes raised

Broos had initially included Foster in his 50-man preliminary squad but after having been sidelined in the English Premier League, due to mental health issues, he was forced to be withdrawn from the squad. 

The 71 year-old has not closed the chapter on this matter.

"Honestly, I'm not happy. I knew from the beginning what the problem was, and I was understanding. Our Doctor communicated with Burnley's team Doctor and I did understand what the problem was - and we concluded that it is not good for him to go. Secondly, he [Foster] wrote a letter stating that he should not be called - he doesn't want to come,'' said Broos.

But it’s also confusing why Broos says he’s unhappy with the Foster situation when it was the South African Football Association (SAFA) that confirmed that they had given the former junior international striker the greenlight after he had written a letter to them asking to be excused from the AFCON squad.

 Forster has played eight matches in the EPL since his return from dealing with his mental health problems and this is something that Broos can’t understand, why he was not at AFCON.

''Okay, but then he starts playing and plays every game, for 90 minutes. I then asked myself why was it not possible for him to join us to Ivory Coast,'' added Broos.

Bafana Bafana were very thin upfront in this tournament and relied more on the Orlando Pirates duo of Evidence and Zakhele Lepasa to lead the line. Broos’ frustration stems from the fact that they could have benefited from the availability of Foster and the injured French-based striker Lebo Mothiba.

"And I will not blame someone, I will not blame Burnley and will not blame Lyle. But he was playing for about 70 to 90 minutes and not only that we lost Lebo Mothiba as well, he concluded.

But with big games in the World Cup qualifiers still to come in June against Nigeria (away) and Zimbabwe (home), Broos knows that he still needs all his quality players including Foster.

 After some good performances at this AFCON, and with a strong European interest in his services, Broos is also counting on Makgopa.