Gavin Hunt offers words of comfort to Lyle Foster

SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt has shared his sympathy for Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster following his club’s revelation about his mental health. 

In a statement on Thursday, English Premier League side Burnley revealed that Foster has taken a break from football until further notice. This comes as the striker is battling with mental issues. 

The 23-year-old first came out about his mental issues in July this year but has continued to play football. He has been one of the key players under Vincent Kompany at the club and has already netted three goals this season. 

As expected, Foster has also been left out of the Bafana Bafana squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda this month. 

GAVIN HUNT FEELS FOR BAFANA BAFANA STAR LYLE FOSTER 

“He must be going through something and it’s disturbing you know,” Hunt was speaking ahead of their DStv Premiership match against Sekhukhune United on Sunday in Polokwane.

“I am sure something has happened but I feel for the boy.”

PLAYERS BETTER POSITIONED TO DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES 

Hunt added that he was pleased that players nowadays have the resources to deal with mental issues. 

“You will find that nowadays you find a lot of those [mental issues],” he said. 

“In my days you were told just to go on with it, there was no counseling. If you look at clubs these days they even have managers 

“In my time there was no manager, media officers, or a kit man,” added Hunt. 

“So in the football industry, there is a lot of support now for the players. They have agents now. We never had agents, we were just told to sign or get out of the office.”

SuperSport United have also remained in Limpopo after their 1-1 draw against Polokwane City on Wednesday. They will take on Sekhukhune United at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

RELATED STORY: Lyle Foster takes break from football due to mental health concerns