"He needs an arm around the shoulder" - Quinton Fortune backs Lyle Foster to bounce back

-

Lyle Foster

Former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune has spoken out in support of Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster, urging the Burnley forward to get the backing he needs after a tough World Cup.

Foster was one of the players South Africans were hoping would lead the line at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the 24-year-old struggled for form and confidence in front of goal.

"I hope he will come back stronger for South Africa after this World Cup because I was looking forward to watching Lyle, thinking he can bring that experience of being a Premier League player to lead the team because so much is expected from him," Fortune told _Premier Bet_, per _Burnley Express_.

The ex-United man believes Foster’s issues are more mental than technical.

"I think for Lyle it's probably just a lack of confidence and every player goes through that, but I was really rooting for him during the World Cup given the prospect of having Lyle up front."

Fortune pointed to Vincent Kompany’s faith in Foster as proof of his quality, and said the striker just needs support to rediscover his best.

"He must have something to him because otherwise why would Vincent Kompany have brought him to Burnley? I just think he's a player going through a difficult time and he probably just needs an arm around the shoulder. He needs support."

Drawing on his own experience of moving to Europe at 14, Fortune says adapting later in life can make things harder.

"I was lucky when I came over to Europe, I was 14. Everything for me seemed like an adventure. These guys like Lyle are probably having a tough time. They left home later so it might be a little bit harder for them to adapt, but the quality is there."

He concluded with a message to Foster’s circle: 

"Lyle needs the support from his family, his teammates and his manager because when a striker isn't scoring goals, that's all they want to do. It's like defenders who want to defend and keep their clean sheets. I'm sure he can pull himself through it."

Foster will now turn his attention back to Burnley and the Premier League as he looks to regain form ahead of Bafana’s next international window.

Other News

Three South Africans in UCL action: Mofokeng with Union, McCarthy with Sabah and Links with Aarhus.

-
Image
It was a mixed night for South Africans in Europe as three SA players featured in Tuesday’s (11/Aug/2026) UEFA Champions League qualifiers, with Relebohile Mofokeng bowing out with Union SG while Gift Links and Aden McCarthy were in action for AGF and Sabah respectively. Mofokeng makes late cameo as Union crash out Relebohile Mofokeng featured for Royal Union Saint-Gilloise but it wasn’t enough to prevent a Champions League exit. Union lost 3-2 away to Bodo/Glimt on the night, going down 6-5 on aggregate in a thriller in Norway. The former Orlando Pirates winger came on in the 91st minute of extra-time and was given a 6.3/10 rating for his brief appearance. Despite the disappointment, Union drop into the UEFA Europa League league phase. They could now face European heavyweights like Juventus, AC Milan & Bayer Leverkusen. McCarthy through, Links exits with AGF In Azerbaijan, Kaizer Chiefs product Aden McCarthy and Sabah FK progressed to the UCL play-off round after a dominant 4-0 wi...
Full Story

Kaizer Chiefs Loan Trio Hlongwane, Zwane, Molefe To Hope FC In Motsepe League

-
Image
Kaizer Chiefs are continuing their push to get academy graduates senior football experience, with development trio Naledi Hlongwane, Samkelo Zwane and Bontle Molefe set to join newly-promoted Motsepe Foundation Championship side Hope FC on loan. The move was first reported by _iDiski Times_. All three players come through the Chiefs DDC system and the loan to the Motsepe League is seen as the next step in their progression toward the PSL first team. For Hope FC, who were promoted to the Championship this season, bringing in three Amakhosi youngsters signals intent to strengthen the squad as they look to establish themselves in the division. Chiefs have leaned heavily on the loan market over the last two seasons as part of their strategy to avoid letting young talent stagnate in the DDC. Sending players to competitive senior football gives them the chance to adapt to the demands of the professional game before returning to Naturena. Hlongwane is an attacker who made his name at DDC leve...
Full Story

Abdeslam Ouaddou Gives Wake Up Call To Pirates' Bafana Bafana Players

-
Image
  Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has issued a wake-up call to his Bafana Bafana internationals, saying he needs them to hit full fitness urgently after a slow start to the season. The Buccaneers drew with AmaZulu, and also faced Milford and Durban City in their last three matches, but Ouaddou feels the team has been playing short-handed due to players returning late from international duty. “My worry is when am I going to recover the international players fully fit? Today, I saw a fantastic game from Sibisi, top. Really, he played his role today. Sipho Chaine played his role,” Ouaddou said. “But since the beginning of the season, I am playing with one or two men down. So, when am I going to recover them? I hope that happens as soon as possible because there is an emergency.” Pirates had 7 players involved with Bafana Bafana during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the US: *Sipho Chaine, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Mo...
Full Story

Maseko Rejects Sundowns Offer: Cardoso Confirms Attacker Wants Exit

-
Image
Miguel Cardoso says Thapelo Maseko has turned down the chance to rejoin the Mamelodi Sundowns squad, with the 22-year-old attacker now pushing for an exit. Speaking after Sundowns’ latest training, the CAF Champions League-winning coach confirmed that talks had taken place but Maseko made his intentions clear. “There are no personal issues between us,” Cardoso said. “We had positive discussions recently. But Thapelo has told us he wants to leave.” Cardoso: "I Don't Work With Unwilling Players" The Sundowns boss made it clear he won’t force the issue.  “I prefer not to work with players who don’t want to be here,” Cardoso added. “The door is open if he changes his mind and wants to stay and fight. But right now, the decision is with the club.” Maseko, 22, has been linked with a move away after struggling for regular game time at Chloorkop. He was given an opportunity to rejoin first-team training, but has reportedly rejected the offer.
Full Story

Sundowns reject offers for frustrated Maseko as isolation claims emerge. Also, Chiefs are watching.

-
Image
Mamelodi Sundowns have turned down initial offers for Thapelo Maseko amid claims the Bafana Bafana winger is unhappy and training away from the main squad, _Goal South Africa_ reports. The 22-year-old has attracted interest from abroad and the continent, with Danish giants FC Copenhagen submitting an offer. Egyptian powerhouses Al-Ahly and Pyramids FC are also said to be monitoring the situation. But according to the source, Sundowns have rejected the early approaches and are not willing to let Maseko leave at this stage. “What I can tell you is that Maseko is not a happy man. He’s really frustrated by what’s happening to him at Sundowns,” the source told _Goal SA_. The situation is reported to have reached a boiling point at Chloorkop.  "The situation has reportedly reached a boiling point at the Sundowns training grounds, where the Bafana Bafana star has found himself isolated from the main group. He was forced to train alone, yet the club doesn’t want to accept offers for him.”...
Full Story