Burnley FC striker Lyle Foster has been withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana team to face Congo Brazzaville on Tuesday in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
Bafana will do battle against Congo in Group K match of the the AFCON qualifiers at Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat de Brazzaville with the highly-rated striker.
The 24-year-old sustained the injury during the first meeting between the two nations at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha last Friday. This is after a clash with Congo goalkeeper Christopher Mafoumbi.
He injured his left knee and was subsequently sent for scans for further analysis. In that tie, Bafana hammered Congo 5-0.
However, Bafana Bafana doctor Dr Tshepo Molobi confirmed that the injury was not as severe as initially thought.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE AS FOSTER IS WITHDRAWN FROM THE AFCON QUALIFIERS CAMP
“Fortunately, the nature of the injury does not require surgery,” Dr Molobi told the SAFA media.
“However, time has to be afforded to him for proper rehabilitation and this is why he has been ruled out of the match on Tuesday,” he added.
Foster did not travel with the team to Brazzaville as part of the precautionary measures. This is also to allow him to rejoin his English club Burnley for early rehabilitation.
Foster was on the scoresheet when Bafana Bafana walloped the central African country at a packed Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Initially, Bafana coach Hugo Broos downplayed the severity of the striker’s injury. He said the injury was merely a knock on the leg, but there was just a concern regarding his difficulty walking.
Bafana Bafana landed in Congo Brazzaville on Sunday afternoon ahead of the clash on Tuesday. Maximum points will secure back-to-back AFCON qualification for Broos and his charges. The match will kick-off at 18:00 [SA Time]
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