South Africa coach Hugo Broos has openly criticised defender Lyle Foster for skipping the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Foster, who features for Premier League side Burnley, had asked Broos not to include him in the squad for the 33rd edition but he later went ahead to play for the Vincent Kompany-led side in league matches.

“Lyle Foster himself wrote a letter to say, ‘Please don’t call me because I am not ready to play AFCON’. But then he starts playing for his club (Burnley FC) and he plays every game for 90 minutes. I am asking myself why it wasn’t possible for him to come with us to Ivory Coast. This is my frustration, but I will not blame anyone. I am frustrated when I see him play because we could have used him at the Africa Cup of Nations,” said Broos.

Meanwhile, Broos has promised new faces in the Bafana Bafana squad for upcoming matches. He said: “There will be new players in [the two friendlies] in March. I don’t think it will be 10 players but there are some positions in the team that require more attention than others. For example, on the right side there is no problem and we don’t have to look for another right-back. There are some positions we have to look at [ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in June].”

He added: “I have already spoken with assistant coach Helman Mkhalele and when we are back in South Africa, we will try look for new players who will invited for camp in March. Let’s hope we find players who can help us in the next games for the World Cup qualifiers [in June].”