CAPE TOWN – Bafana Bafana forward Lyle Foster has brushed off talk of pressure as his side prepares for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday.
After their convincing 3-0 win over Lesotho on Friday night, South Africa now turn their focus to Nigeria, aiming to secure qualification and move a step closer to booking their ticket to the United States.
Hugo Broos’ men currently lead Group C with 16 points, while Nigeria sit in third place on 10 points.
Foster insists the team is not feeling any pressure, but acknowledges that this doesn’t mean they can afford to take things lightly.
“I think it’s important to try and get the win again on Tuesday and just try and get maximum points from the qualification process as we can,” said Foster.
“I don’t necessarily think there’s pressure on us. I think we are where we are in the group at the moment, and that’s a positive.
“I think pressure is on the guys trying to get to us, but that doesn’t mean that we should take our foot off the gas or take our foot off the pedal.
“We should just have the same mentality, still keep steady, playing game by game, staying humble and just, like I said, taking the game as it comes.”
Fresh off celebrating his 25th birthday last week, Foster reflected on the team’s positive start but emphasized that the main focus now is to keep pushing forward and ensure they finish the job.
“I think we just need to focus on what we do, really. At the end of the day, we are in control of this destiny at the moment,” he said.
“I think we are in the driver’s seat, like I said – the only ones who can decide during the next three games whether we go through or not.
“And not going through as well is also us, I think, looking at other results doesn’t necessarily bother us.”
Image: @BafanaBafana/Twitter.
