South African striker Lyle Foster believes that more players from his country need to move overseas to strengthen the national team, writes Nosizo Mazibeli.
Foster, who plays for English side Burnley FC, is one of only a handful of South African players who ply their trade in Europe.
He believes that the level of competition and the standard of training in Europe is much higher than in South Africa and that this can only benefit Bafana Bafana in the long run.
HOW BAFANA BAFANA COULD BENEFIT FROM PLAYERS MOVING OVERSEAS
“It’s important for Bafana Bafana to have more players playing overseas, and I think it’s time we get there,” he told journalists.
“It’s super important for us to have foreign-based players. Try to have more players play in the highest leagues possible because that’s the only way we’ll improve as a team.
“It’s important for us to go and to test ourselves there so that when we come back, we can bring different experiences to the national team and different identities in football, and I think we will grow in that way as a team.”
The 23-year-old believes there is progress, with several players moving to the MLS in recent months.
“We’ve got a young group and a fair amount of guys who do play overseas.”
Lyle Foster drew attention to young players making their moves to play outside the country and how it helps them as individuals and as a collective.
OTHER SOCCER NEWS:Former Orlando Pirates star lands new role overseas
The 23-year-old striker will look to add his name to the score sheet again at the same venue [Orlando Stadium], where he scored a brace against Liberia on the 24th of March 2023.
His two goals in three games for his Premier League club, Burnley, contribute to steering his way to recognition among other names that have contributed as South African players playing abroad.
The Soweto-born star has scored four goals for the national team, having played 11 times for Bafana. He was on target on Tuesday when Bafana beat DR Congo 1-0 in an international friendly match.