Bafana Bafana's Lyle Foster shares how he came back stronger after mental health battle
Burnley's South African forward Lyle Foster, who has found his footing again after dealing with mental health issues, celebrates after scoring against Manchester United at Old Traffod.
Image: Oli Scarff/AFP
Bafana Bafana and Burnley forward Lyle Foster has opened up for the first time about his mental health struggles that kept him out of the game for a number of weeks.
During the 2023/24 season, the Premier League club announced that Foster would be sidelined in order to deal with a recurring mental health issue. As a result, he missed out on Bafana Bafana’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, played in early 2024.
In an interview with Sulia Stuart on SuperSport, Foster finally spoke about that period and how it affected him as a footballer and as a person.
“First and foremost, Burnley supported me massively, all the staff that were there at the time and all the people in the club, my family and everyone,” Foster said in the interview.
“This made me feel loved at that time. I guess it was like a personal moment at that time, I’d say it was getting too much.
“I needed to just reevaluate and understand what was good for me and at that time, I’m grateful that the club stood behind me. I was able to have that little break and come back to football, which I think is important.”
Detailing the events, he said it was then manager Vincent Kompany, now with Bayern Munich, who recommended he take some time off after he had told him what he was going through off the pitch.
“… It was like this is where I am right now, and they said ‘this is how we’re going to help you to get back to your best because you need to come back here, we love you and this is your home’,” he continued.
“That’s what happened, I was just honest with myself. And to be honest, the next steps were sort of directed by the club. I think it’s very important to have people around you who you can be honest to.
“At the same time, I think it’s part of life, and looking back there’s no regret and everything happened the way it did. I’m still here, enjoying and grateful, I think that’s what matters.”
Foster would eventually return to action two months later and found himself on the scoresheet in the final game of the year, a 3-2 loss against Aston Villa. Unfortunately, the Clarets were relegated from the Premier League after finishing 19th. But, in their only season in the Championship, Foster played a key role as they were promoted back to the Premier League.
In 2025, he’s been ever-present for Burnley and also played an important role as Bafana Bafana booked their place at next year’s World Cup in North America.
Foster has come through a difficult period stronger and more determined. He’s back on the pitch, focused and resilient, showing that even setbacks can be turned into a fresh start. Now stronger and more determined, Foster will look to lead Bafana Bafana with the same resilience he showed off the pitch as they head to Morocco next month for the Africa Cup of Nations.
IOL Sport