Lyle Foster is the only South African player currently playing in the English Premier League, although Burnley remain in the relegation zone with two matches to play.
Despite the team’s mishaps this season, the player himself had a relatively good season and his former youth team coach at Orlando Pirates Augusto Palacios has applauded the striker for the way he handled himself during the difficult times with his mental health issues.
Talking to Soccer Laduma in an exclusive one on one interview, the former Pirates coach said now that Foster is fit and playing again, he should be reconsidered for Bafana Bafana duties for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers which resumes in June.
“First and foremost I have to say I am proud of Lyle and what he has achieved. He is one of the few South African players who went to play in the English Premiership while only at 23 years old. Yes others like Benni McCarthy, Shaun Bartlett, Andre Arendse and Percy Tau have played there and it’s good for our country.
“The club signed him because they saw his potential and he has proved that he is good. I am happy and proud of him. But above all that what makes me very proud of him is the way he came out about his mental health issues and dealt with that. It showed maturity and I have to thank his club and manager Vincent Kompany for the way they helped him. That’s very good for the club to support their players. He showed his true character and professionalism. I should also say the support from his family was very important during that time when it was hard for him. That support kept him strong and going,” Palacios said.
On the issue of whether Foster should stay with Burnley even when they are relegated, the former Pirates says that that would be good for the player as the Championship is a good league compared to other lower leagues in European countries.
“That would be the best devotion for him. The Championship is a very good and competitive league. It will help him grow as a player as well. You should know that he started from there and helped the team gain promotion. He has scored four or five goals in his first season in the Premier League and if he goes to the Championship with the club he could improve on that and since the club invested in him when he joined them they could sell him to a Premier League team and make money for themselves as well and it could be a good move for him as a player. But for now it’s good he stays there because the coach Kompany believes in him and uses him to the best of his ability,” Palacios added.
In addition. the former Bafana Bafana coach said that coach Hugo Broos should look at recalling the striker to the national team for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Nigeria.
“I think he didn’t go to Ivory Coast because at that time his coach at Burnley believed that the environment could not be good for him but now that he is back to full health and fitness they should consider recalling him. He is committed to his country. He is one of the few players who has played for the Under 20, Under 23 and Bafana Bafana and his experience could be vital for Bafana Bafana. But that will depend on the coach but for me I think they should call him,” Palacios concluded.
