Could Fagrie Lakay's omission haunt Bafana Bafana at AFCON?

French-based striker Lebo Mothiba is back on the sidelines again and will miss the AFCON after he sustained a very serious injury that led to him going under the knife earlier this week following a French Ligue 1 game where his team RC Strasbourg beat Lorient 2-1 last weekend.

Burnley head coach Vincent Kompany has already put some doubt on the releasing of Lyle Foster for the AFCON, citing the recovery from the mental health issues as part of the reason.

There was hope that Foster would be at the AFCON to bolster Bafana’s attack after he returned to action for the first time in more than three weeks last Saturday when he featured in a 2-0 defeat to Everton.

According to Kompany, medical advice received from their medical specialists is that Foster should remain in his normal environment and remain with his teammates.

Despite Burnley’s stance on Foster’s availability for the AFCON, it should still be noted that the final say rests with SAFA as FIFA rules allow them to select the player if he’s medically fit to play as the AFCON is a FIFA sanctioned tournament.

READ: Vincent Kompany insists he will continue to be 'very cautious' with Lyle Foster

With Lakay not part of the 50-man preliminary squad Broos called up recently for the AFCON, despite his good form in the biggest football club competition on the continent (CAF Champions League), questions will be asked about the selection criteria that is being followed.

This is the criteria that has seen most overseas based players not being properly monitored or selected at Bafana Bafana, with some of them continuing to do well in stronger leagues.

Lakay, the youngest Bafana Bafana debutant at the age of 17years, five months and 30 days back in 2014, has been troubled by injuries but with proper scouting and monitoring, it would have been picked up that he’s been a regular in the Champions League, having featured in all Pyramids matches including the four group stages matches over the past five weeks.

In the Egyptian Premier League, the 26-year-old, has also been scoring consistently with two goals in his last two matches for his side.

“I don’t recall anything happening, I just remember that the last time, I was injured when I was in camp, and after that, I didn’t go again.

“I don’t know, I would also like to know but as a player, I’m not someone to speak a lot. I believe instead of talking, I should go out there and do the talking on the field.

“That will not change, that’s all I will do and that’s all I can do and not say anything,” that’s how Lakay responded to his omission from Bafana. 

One would have also hoped that the CAF Champions League exposure worked in Lakay’s favour for selection, especially with his exploits in this season’s competition.

“Yeah definitely, it’s the biggest club competition in Africa, it’s good exposure for any player to play in the Champions League. It’s also the best teams in Africa, and to test yourself, you have to test yourself against the best on the continent,” said Lakay.

Lakay was an unused substitute during the 2-1 win over Morocco in the AFCON qualifier at FNB stadium in June 2023, and this was the last time he was selected for the national team.