Lyle Foster played a central role in South Africa’s AFCON 2025 group-stage campaign, and his impact went far beyond the two goals and two assists he recorded across three matches.
The Bafana Bafana striker consistently influenced games through his movement, pressing, and ability to bring teammates into play. Although he has often faced criticism for his finishing consistency, the group phase highlighted the broader value he brings to the national team’s attacking structure.
One of the clearest examples came during South Africa’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe in Marrakesh. In the 58th minute, Foster held off pressure after receiving a pass from Oswin Appollis, recycled possession intelligently, and created space for Appollis to unleash a shot that forced a strong save from goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Throughout the tournament, Foster was heavily involved in South Africa’s build-up play, averaging two key passes per match. His growing understanding with Appollis has added balance and unpredictability to the attack. However, head coach Hugo Broos stressed after the Zimbabwe match that Foster’s effectiveness depends heavily on the movement and support around him.
Broos explained that when Foster receives adequate support and the team circulates the ball well, the striker’s strengths become evident. He highlighted Foster’s physical presence, speed, and football intelligence, noting that these qualities allow him to consistently get into dangerous positions when the collective play is functioning.
The coach also pointed to a recurring issue during the group stage: lapses in concentration. While South Africa showed control and attacking sharpness for extended periods, they struggled to maintain intensity for the full 90 minutes. Broos warned that such drops would be costly against stronger opponents.
Foster is not the type of forward who dismantles defenses on his own through flair or individual brilliance. Instead, his game is built on intelligent positioning, link-up play, and creating opportunities for others. This collective contribution, rather than raw statistics alone, is what makes him valuable to the team.
Although questions remain about his ability to deliver decisive goals against top opposition, the group stage suggested it may be time for supporters to reassess their expectations. Foster may not fit the traditional image of a prolific striker, but his influence on Bafana Bafana’s overall attacking play is increasingly difficult to ignore.
About the author
Noépé-Akanu modernisé pour faciliter les échanges
Le poste de contrôle juxtaposé de Noépé-Akanu, à la frontière entre le Togo et le Ghana, bénéficie de nouvelles infrastructures destinées à améliorer la fluidité des échanges commerciaux. La cérémonie de remise officielle s’est tenue le lundi 16 mars 2026, en présence du ministre togolais de l’Économie et de la Veille stratégique, Badanam Patoki, et de la ministre ghanéenne du Commerce, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjaré, selon Togo Presse. Ces travaux, réalisés par Trade Mark Africa dans le cadre de l’appui à la mise en œuvre de la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf), visent à renforcer les capacités opérationnelles du site. Les aménagements incluent notamment l’installation de systèmes d’énergie solaire, la réhabilitation de l’approvisionnement en eau, l’amélioration du drainage ainsi que la rénovation des installations sanitaires. Situé sur le corridor stratégique Abidjan-Lagos, le poste de Noépé-Akanu constitue un point clé pour le […]
Togo : rebond des services marchands en décembre
Au Togo, les services marchands non financiers ont enregistré une nette reprise en décembre 2025, avec une progression mensuelle de 13,6 %, selon les données de la BCEAO. Cette performance intervient après une baisse de 5,9 % observée en novembre. Ces services couvrent plusieurs secteurs clés de l’économie, notamment le commerce, les transports, l’hôtellerie, les télécommunications et les services aux entreprises. Sur un an, l’activité affiche une hausse de 5,1 %, un niveau proche de la moyenne enregistrée dans l’espace UEMOA. À l’échelle régionale, la progression s’établit à 4,5 %, en léger ralentissement par rapport au mois précédent. L’évolution observée au Togo s’inscrit dans une année marquée par une forte volatilité. En novembre 2025, la croissance annuelle avait atteint un pic de 19,5 %, avant de connaître des replis mensuels suivis de reprises techniques. Plus tôt dans l’année, en septembre, […]
Le Nigeria veut augmenter ses exportations d’électricité
Le Nigeria a exprimé son intention d’augmenter ses exportations d’électricité vers le Togo, dans un contexte de demande énergétique croissante en Afrique de l’Ouest. Cette orientation a été discutée le 12 mars 2026 lors d’échanges entre la Compagnie énergie électrique du Togo (CEET) et la Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC). Actuellement, l’opérateur nigérian fournit environ 75 mégawatts d’électricité au Togo dans le cadre d’un accord bilatéral. Il se dit désormais disposé à accroître ces volumes afin de soutenir le développement du réseau togolais, notamment face à l’augmentation des besoins des secteurs industriel et commercial. Pour les autorités togolaises, cet appui représente une opportunité de sécuriser l’approvisionnement en énergie, alors que le pays fait face à des tensions sur son réseau électrique. Les perturbations observées ces derniers mois ont mis en évidence les limites de l’offre actuelle. Toutefois, la NDPHC […]
Togo : améliorer la traçabilité pour conquérir les marchés
Le manque de traçabilité des produits agroalimentaires togolais freine leur accès aux marchés internationaux. Pour y remédier, la Haute Autorité de la Qualité et de l’Environnement (HAUQE) a lancé mardi à Lomé une formation de trois jours destinée aux TPME du secteur, avec le soutien de la GIZ via le programme ProComp. L’objectif est d’accompagner ces entreprises dans la certification de leurs produits et la mise en place de systèmes de traçabilité efficaces, incluant l’identification des lots et le suivi des flux de production. Cette démarche vise à renforcer la confiance des consommateurs et à faciliter l’accès durable aux marchés extérieurs. Le programme ProComp (Programme pour l’Amélioration de la Compétitivité du Secteur Privé au Togo) soutient ces initiatives pour améliorer la performance et la compétitivité des entreprises locales.
Togo : renforcer l’agriculture par le partenariat public-privé
Face aux effets croissants du changement climatique, le Togo cherche à renforcer la résilience de son agriculture grâce à des partenariats public-privé. C’est le message central d’une concertation tenue mardi à Lomé en collaboration avec la FAO. La rencontre a réuni responsables publics et acteurs privés autour de la stratégie nationale pour mobiliser le secteur privé dans des investissements agricoles climato-résilients et développer des partenariats efficaces. Selon la FAO, des financements internationaux sont disponibles pour soutenir le secteur privé dans des solutions durables pour l’agriculture, l’élevage, la pêche et la foresterie.
Togo : lancement d’une campagne nationale contre la polio
Une campagne nationale de vaccination contre la poliomyélite a été lancée au Togo, visant les enfants âgés de 0 à 5 ans, rapporte Le Messager du mercredi 17 mars 2026. Cette opération gratuite s’inscrit dans une riposte sanitaire urgente après la détection, le 20 février dernier, d’un cas de poliovirus de type 2 dans le district sanitaire de Mô, dans la région Centrale. Les autorités sanitaires mettent tout en œuvre pour éviter la propagation de ce virus hautement contagieux et protéger les enfants du pays.
Related
Messi reaches 900 career goals as Inter Miami crash out of Champions Cup
Lionel Messi scored the 900th goal of his professional career but could not stop Inter Miami from exiting the CONCACAF Champions Cup on away goals after a 1 1 draw with Nashville SC in Fort Lauderdale . Messi, 38, struck after just seven minutes to give Miami the lead in the second leg of their last 16 tie at Chase Stadium, raising hopes of a memorable night for the MLS champions . However, Nashville’s Cristian Espinoza fired in a 74th minute equaliser to level the tie 1 1 on aggregate, and the visitors then held firm to progress to the quarter finals on the away goals rule . The result turned what began as a celebration of Messi’s milestone into a bittersweet farewell, as the game was also Inter Miami’s last appearance at their Chase Stadium home before moving to […]
Iran says it will boycott US not World Cup over 2026 venue row
Iran will boycott the United States but not the 2026 World Cup itself, according to Iran football federation president Mehdi Taj . In a video released by Iranian news agency Fars, Taj said Iran will continue preparing for the tournament but wants its matches moved away from US venues . He explained that the federation is in talks with FIFA about relocating Iran’s World Cup group games, which are currently scheduled to be played in the United States . Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country is ready to host Iran’s first round games if required, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East . She told reporters that Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with all countries and will wait for FIFA’s decision, but confirmed that Mexico is open to staging the fixtures . Iran are due to face New Zealand […]
Osimhen Aina miss out as Chelle names Super Eagles squad for Iran Jordan friendlies
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has left out in form striker Victor Osimhen and defender Ola Aina from his 23 man squad for this month’s international friendlies against Iran and Jordan in Turkey . Team captain Wilfred Ndidi, playmaker Alex Iwobi and forward Ademola Lookman all made the list for the two matches, which will now be played in Antalya after being moved from Amman because of the conflict in the Middle East . An official told NationSport that Osimhen, who is in excellent form for Galatasaray, and Nottingham Forest full back Aina both asked to be excused from the mini tournament for personal reasons . Nigeria will face Iran on Friday, March 27, at 4 p.m. local time and then play Jordan on Tuesday, March 31, at 8 p.m., with both games taking place in Antalya . The […]
Enzo Fernandez unsure over Chelsea future after Champions League exit
Enzo Fernandez has hinted he could leave Chelsea at the end of the season after the club were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint Germain . Chelsea lost 3 0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, completing an 8 3 aggregate defeat in their last 16 tie against the French champions . The world club champions are currently sixth in the Premier League and risk missing out on Champions League qualification for next season . Fernandez captained Chelsea in the second leg in the absence of injured skipper Reece James but did little to end speculation about his future when speaking after the game . Asked by ESPN if he would still be at Stamford Bridge next season, the 25 year old Argentina midfielder replied that there are eight league matches and the FA Cup still to play, […]
Chelle drops Osimhen Nwabali as he unveils Super Eagles squad for friendlies
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman in a 23 man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming friendlies against Iran and Jordan in Turkey . The matches, originally scheduled for Amman, were moved to Antalya following the outbreak of military conflict in the Middle East, according to a statement by Nigeria Football Federation Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire . Nigeria will face Iran on March 27 in Antalya at 4 p.m. and then play Jordan on March 31 at 8 p.m. as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures . Chelle also handed call ups to Maduka Okoye, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Paul Onuachu, among others . Debut invitations went to Emmanuel Fernandez, Philip Otele and Collins Yira Sor, while goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo returned to the […]
Senegal fans brand AFCON title loss to Morocco a disgrace for Africa
Senegalese football fans have condemned the decision to strip their country of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco, calling the move a disgrace for Africa . Many supporters in Dakar said they were shocked to wake up to the news that the Confederation of African Football had overturned Senegal’s victory in the final played in Rabat on January 18 . CAF ruled late on Tuesday that Senegal had forfeited the match after several of their players walked off the pitch in stoppage time to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco, before later returning to continue the game . Morocco missed the penalty and Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored in extra time to secure a 1 0 win, but CAF’s appeals committee later applied competition rules stating that any team that refuses to play or leaves […]