Bafana’s Lyle Foster suffers another setback after mental health complications

by Sergio Miller

Bafana Bafana and Burnley soccer player has suffered yet another setback in his quest to make a return to the football turf.

The 23-year-old has been out of action for some time after it was reported that he had been battling with mental health complications. He later told the national team that they should exclude him from representing his country at this year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

Meanwhile, with the nation fighting for survival, the talented youngster has since made multiple appearances for the English club in the wake of his national absence, which was something that made South African soccer lovers as well as the national coach Hugo Broos frustrated.

In an interview with football publication Goal, Hugo said:

“I am frustrated when I see him play because we could have used him at AFCON. He’s a good striker, he scores.”

“We should [have had] Lyle with us. I’m frustrated now when I go and see immediately the line-up, oh Foster played 70 minutes, oh Foster played 90 minutes.

More recently in a Burnley Express interview, the manager Vincent Kompany revealed that Lyle had suffered an injury and was required to go into the surgical room.

“He won’t be available [for this weekend’s game against Arsenal]. He had surgery on a chronic issue that needed resolving.”

Vincent further highlighted that while his football season is not entirely over, he will be out of action for several weeks.

Meanwhile, taking to social media, Bafana fans have been rejoicing at the news as many felt that the striker abandoned them during the AFCON tournament.

Taking to Facebook, one user commented: “Mmmmm, the consequences of disrespecting the Ancestors.”

However, X (formerly Twitter) users did not hold back from expressing how they felt.

Meanwhile another questioned whether this was bad news for SA or Burnley.

Also see: Bafana Bafana receive a hero’s welcome on their arrival from AFCON