Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster injured in first Burnley start
Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster picked an injury in his first start for Burnley FC against Ipswich Town on Tuesday evening.
The former Orlando Pirates forward limped off in the 87th minute of the Emirates FA Cup match replay for Burnley at the Turf moor.
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany had shown faith in the Bafana Bafana attacker, Lyle Foster, by handing him his first start in the replay.
WHY COACH VINCENT KOMPANY WAS LEFT WITH NO CHOICE
However, the Manchester City FC legend Vincent Kompany was left with no choice, but replace the forward after he limped off.
Ashley Barnes was called into action to replace the 22-year-old South African. He joined the Sky Bet Championship side two weeks ago.
The Orlando Pirates academy graduate sealed a dream move to the Championship team from Belgian side, K.V.C Westerlo.
Foster made his debut for the Championship leaders last Saturday when the Clarets visited Ipswich Town.
The towering front-man then came off the bench for Burnley when they eased to a 3-0 win over Norwich City on February 4 2023.
The former Amajimbos striker’s two substitute appearances were enough to earn him a starting berth on Tuesday.
Burnley started the fourth-round game strongly. Lyle Foster was involved in the opener, as a ball from him found the eventual scorer Nathan Tella.
The in-form Tella put the Clarets ahead after just 46 seconds into the match.
However, the visitors found their way courtesy of George Hirst’s equalizer barely two minutes into the contest.
BURNLEY THROUGH TO FA CUP FIFTH ROUND
The game appeared to be headed for a draw. However, Tella restored Burnley FC’s lead with a few minutes remaining to full-time. Burnley advanced to the fifth-round.
The fourth-round first-leg match had ended goalless; hence, the replay which presented Foster a rare starting role.
Foster graduated from Pirates youth set up before earning promotion to the senior squad.
The Bafana Bafana forward got his break in Europe when he signed for French Ligue 1 side AS Monaco in 2019.
He eventually joined Belgian side, Cercle Brugge, on loan from Monaco before sealing a move to Portuguese club Vitoria SC.
Westerlo ended up signing the nine-capped striker after he impressed while on loan from Vitoria.
Kompany has bolstered his attack with Foster to increase the team’s promotion chances.
The Clarets are favourites for promotion to the Premier League next season.
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