Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster has revealed the iconic Orlando Stadium holds a special place in his heart.
The Burnley forward has even tattooed the 2010 FIFA World Cup venue on his body. He revealed this when speaking to journalists ahead of South Africa’s international friendly against DR Congo on Tuesday evening.
The 23-year-old scored his first professional goal while at Orlando Pirates during the 2017/18 season. This was before his move to Europe, where he went on to play for Monaco, Cercle Brugge, Vitoria Guimaraes and Westerlo.
“It’s home, it’s a Stadium I have tattooed on my body,” Foster said. “Just 2km from here, we used to walk to come to watch Orlando Pirates play a lot of times. My father and my uncle are all Pirates supporters.
‘PLAYING HERE IS ALWAYS SPECIAL’
“Even to be able to play here was a great honour for me. Obviously, it’s a neighbourhood club and a team I always grew up supporting, so playing here is always special,” he said. “The only time I have ever scored for South Africa was here, so it’s a good thing.”
Of the three international goals he has scored, two of them were at the Orlando Stadium against Liberia in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
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Lyle Foster also admits that his game has had to change over the years in the different European Leagues. Including at the English Premier League, where he is with ‘The Clarets’.
“Yes, definitely, everything has to change. You have to step up. Like I said, playing against treble winners, Champions League winners, and World Cup winners.
“Definitely, I had to bulk up, it’s a tough league. You can’t make too many mistakes; otherwise, you will be punished. But I am enjoying it so far, and I think with the young thing that we have, we can only grow and learn more in this league.”