Burnley forward Lyle Foster, who recently returned to action after overcoming an unspecified mental health issue, has been omitted from the South Africa 2024 Africa Cup of Nations squad.
Despite featuring in a Premier League match against Liverpool on Tuesday, Burnley manager Vincent Kompany advised against Foster's inclusion in the national team.
"Lyle cannot be travelling around the world at this stage and is not in a position to join South Africa for the Cup of Nations," explained Kompany to South Africa coach Hugo Broos.
In another setback for Bafana Bafana, Strasbourg forward Lebo Mothiba will be absent from the Group E matches against Mali, Namibia, and Tunisia in the Ivory Coast due to a knee injury sustained in a recent French Ligue 1 match. Mothiba, a physically imposing 27-year-old, is expected to be sidelined for several months.
Foster and Mothiba are the only South Africans playing in the top five European leagues. Belgian coach Broos, who led Cameroon to victory in the 2017 Cup of Nations, has chosen six forwards for the squad of 23, including four local players, one based in Egypt and another in Cyprus.
Percy Tau, representing Cairo-based African giants Al Ahly, received recognition as the top Africa-based footballer at the recent CAF awards ceremony. Despite consistent performances in the elite domestic league, Khanyiso Mayo, the son of former South African forward Patrick Mayo, did not make the final squad.
In a surprising move, 34-year-old wide attacker Themba Zwane, who had been absent from the national squad due to age considerations by the Broos, has been called up for the tournament scheduled from January 13 to February 11.
South Africa's preparations will take place in the western Cape university town of Stellenbosch, including a warm-up match against Lesotho in Pretoria on January 10, before departing for Abidjan the following day.
