Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster has revealed how special the Orlando Stadium means to him that he even tattooed it on his body.
The Burnley forward was speaking ahead of South Africa’s international friendly against DR Congo on Tuesday.
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.
WHY THE ORLANDO STADIUM IS SPECIAL FOR LYLE FOSTER
“It’s home, it’s a Stadium I have tattooed on my body,” Foster told journalists.
“Just 2km from here we used to walk to come to watch Orlando Pirates play a lot of times. My father, and my uncle, all of them are Pirates supporters.
“Even to be able to play here was a great honour for me. Obviously, it’s a neighborhood club and a team I always grew up supporting so playing 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.
HOW THE BAFANA BAFANA MARKSMAN HAD TO ADAPT IN EUROPE
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.”
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