Bafana Bafana and Burnley striker Lyle Foster has opened up on struggles he had with mental health that resulted in him missing the last AFCON and a couple of club matches.

The former Orlando Pirates forward was placed under specialist care in 2023 after reaching out to his club following a recurrence of his mental health challenges.

He revealed that it was his former head coach Vincent Kompany, who recommended that he steps away for a while, with the club outlining the required procedures that needed to be followed.

“First and foremost, Burnley supported me massively, all the staff that was there at the time and all people in the club, my family and everyone,” said Foster during an Exclusive interview with Julia Stuart on SuperSport.

“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.”

Foster says he has no regrets about going through the process, as it helped him return to his best. He believes that being honest is what helped him to overcome the challenge.

“Looking back, I don’t think I was brave or I wasn’t, I just think I was honest to Vincent [Kompany] at the time,” he added.

“When I told him this is what happening, Vincent recommended that I just take some time off.

“That’s what happened, 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.

“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 the way it happened. I’m still here, enjoying and grateful, I think that’s what matters.”

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