Hugo Broos demands more from Lyle Foster after Panama stalemate

Despite dominating large spells of the first of two international friendlies, South Africa were caught off guard when the visitors struck first against the run of play. 

READ: Missed chances cost Bafana in Panama friendly draw 

Broos pointed to wasteful finishing as the decisive factor and did not hold back when addressing Foster’s performance, with the forward guilty of spurning several clear-cut chances. 

"Yeah, no, for me, Lyle is a very good striker but sometimes he's a little bit lazy in the game, and I told him a few days ago that we need someone that moves more and puts the defenders under more pressure," said Broos.

"And in the first half, he had some moments but in the second half he was much better. When Lyle moves a lot, he's quick, he's strong and he can be more dangerous than when he's waiting for the ball.

"I know he's also strong when you give him the ball at his feet, he doesn't lose so many balls, but this is not our game – we don't play with someone in attack who keeps the balls and brings in players around; we play football that needs movement, including the strikers.

"So, again, Lyle was tired after 70 minutes but ok, I like more what he started for 70 minutes than what I'm angry or frustrated about him not moving enough."

ALSO READ: Broos explains Mbokazi, Hlongwane decision for Durban friendly

The coach was adamant that they should have put Panama to the sword, while the visitors' only threats came from errors in the Bafana defence.

"Well I think everyone can agree that we played a very good game today, we dominated Panama for 90 minutes and it was only from two mistakes that we made all game that Panama had some chances," he added.

"For the first goal, I think we have to kick that ball in the stands but we wanted to be too nice, and I told them also during half-time there's nothing wrong with kicking the ball into the stand when you're under pressure.

"The second chance was in the second half, we played the ball a bit too soft to put Okon in danger, we lose the ball and 10 seconds later they hit the post.

"I think that was the only moments we were in danger, for the rest, if I counted correctly, I think we had nine chances today – that's maybe the only negative point, that we didn't score enough compared to the chances we had."