Ex-Orlando Pirates star is in the wilderness with no sign of an escape route

Former Orlando Pirates striker Lyle Foster sits at a crossroads after moving to the USA and losing his place in the Bafana Bafana squad. What’s next?

Lyle Foster is in limbo for Bafana

26-year-old Lyle Foster is currently out of the picture for Bafana Bafana. The ex-Pirates striker was relegated from the English Premier League with Burnley last season, and left the Clarets on loan this season to join MLS side Houston Dynamo. Born in Soweto, Foster is already becoming something of a journeyman after starting his pro career with Monaco. He then enjoyed stints in Belgium and Portugal before spending three years in England with Burnley.

Will Pitso recall Foster?

There’s no doubt about his ability at the top level, but the upheaval of EPL relegation would have affected his confidence. Foster was integral to Bafana’s 2025 AFCON campaign, claiming two goals and two assists en route to the semi-finals. He played 56 minutes of South Africa’s World Cup opener against Mexico this year. Foster was then an unused substitute in subsequent matches against Czechia, South Korea and Canada. The makeup of Pitso Mosimane’s next Bafana squad in November will be intriguing, to say the least.

Appollis is on fire for Orlando Pirates and Bafana

Via Siseko Gwewge, French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg is monitoring Oswin Appollis’ performances at Orlando Pirates. This follows rumoured interest from Portuguese giants Porto. The 25-year-old shone against Eritrea in a recent 5-0 win, bagging three assists, matching a feat he also achieved against Congo in 2024. Appollis has two goals and two assists in seven Betway Premiership outings this season, and will undoubtedly be a key player in the MT8 final. Pirates meet Sundowns on Saturday, 10 October at 18:00 to contest this season’s first piece of silverware.

 Will Foster force his way back into Pitso’s plans? Click the red comments banner below and have your say 🙂