Bafana Bafana forward Lyle Foster has received criticism for not availing himself for the national team in spite of playing for Burnley but could his decision be justified after his club signed Chelsea striker David Fofana?
Foster, who is under treatment for mental health challenges, has been playing for the Clarets after his condition improved but together with his club, he asked to be excused for Bafana Bafana's Africa Cup of Nations campaign for medical reasons.
The news of the former Orlando Pirates striker not being available for South Africa has divided opinion in the country, with some having the understanding that he should prioritize his club career and some questioning his patriotism.
READ | Former Bafana captain confused by Lyle Foster's Bafana absence
Burnley recently announced the signing of Fofana, on loan from Chelsea, although the Ivorian was at German Bundesliga side Union Berlin for the past six months, also on loan from the Blues.
The Clarets manager Vincent Kompany has opened up on whether Fofana, who has not yet replicated the form he showed in front of goal for Norwegian giants Molde, where he scored 24 goals in 65 appearances before he was signed by Chelsea, will compete with Foster for a starting berth.
"I would love to be able to only present players with proven numbers but it's not the market we're in at all," Kompany told the media.
"To go and find someone who will out-perform consistently Lyle Foster and Zeki Amdouni I don't think is realistic but we have to strengthen the unit.
"He does have speed, he does have the ability to link up play and he does have talent. He's scored a lot of goals, maybe not in Germany but at his previous clubs, and he can help us," he said.
"But if you're expecting someone to come in who scored 25 goals in the Bundesliga recently it's not in the realm of possibility," he added.
Those who believe Foster was right to prioritize his club career over Bafana would feel vindicated, as Fofana's signing by Burnley could have been seen as a big threat to the former Pirates forward's career at Turf Moor if he was currently in camp with Hugo Broos' charges in Ivory Coast.
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