Pirates Legend ‘Emotional’ About Foster Rise To EPL

Legendary Orlando Pirates coach Augusto Palacios has waxed lyrical about Lyle Foster’s rise from his academy, through Orlando Pirates on his path to playing Premier League football with Burnley.

Palacios, 71, was invited by Foster to attend Burnley’s final Championship game of the season – a 3-0 win over Cardiff City, which saw Vincent Kompany’s side break the 100-points mark in the Championship.

Although Foster himself remained on the bench in the 3-0 win, he joined the celebrations with his teammates after the final whistle as the Clarets celebrated topping the Championship table, a season after their relegation from the Premier League.

Foster had invited his former coach Palacios, who brought him to Orlando Pirates as a teenager and has guided him throughout his senior career, to Turfmoor alongside his family. 

“I am very proud and emotional for his achievement,” an emotional Palacios told iDiski Times.

“I arrived together with his family. Then I went to watch his training [at Burnley’s] sport facilities. Great sport facilities for players to train every day for like five to six hours.

“I know his family father Lance, mother Taryn and sister Tori — a great family. His family is I like my family, he calls me papa, he is my son. Our love is not about money [or] publicity, it is about the player to grow.”

Palacios also insisted there was never any doubt that Foster would make it to the top because he could see from a young age that he is a special player, being supported by a grounded family.

“There was no doubt about his talent, he already showed tremendous quality at 12 years and was progressing [well]. I was always with him, he is a great boy great and got a good foundation from home,” he continued.

“I’m happy to be part of his success and I will continue support, advice and encourage him. He was always a player that listened, a player that took instructions and tried to learn always.

“When he was 15 years I took [him] to Pirates first team to play a friendly game to experiment. At 16 years old I took [him] to Pirates. It was a great move and opportunity. 

“I communicate trough WhatsApp consistently. I am in his house with the family and we share together important [decisions] to show him respect and advice in the correct manners, nothing about material [or] money — the important [aspect] is the love and guidance.

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“I did a lot individual training with him in my academy. He makes time [even] until now, I am [still] guiding him. I watch his game on DStv or internet [and] analyse him.

Foster recently praised Palacio as an important pillar in his rise through hardships to finally play in arguably the world’s best league from next season, and the former Bucs coach also sent more praise the player’s way.

“Lyle’s strength is, he is quick with the ball, he can can control [and] protect, is good at shooting [and] quick in one vs one. He is [also] good at heading [and] can create goals.

“He played national team U17, U20, U23 and then Bafana. He went step by step.

“He very focus on soccer. It is his passion and also his determination. He is not scared for anything. He also has a good athletic, he focusses on his body. He works hard like to be the best [in the game].

“He’s been five years in Europe, at Monaco, in Portugal, in Belgium [and] now in England. [He went through] a very important  process. Obviously, he can 1683643024 focus to meet strong teams like Liverpool, Manchester United and Man City. 

“It is very important to have ambitions and play at a high level. He is a APAA [Augusto Palacios Apprentice Academy] Ambassador of my academy. He is a great role model to follow and example for young players with a lot support from the family.”

Images sent to iDiski Times by Augusto Palacios.

Story by Lorenz Kohler (@Lorenz_KO) and David Kappel (@kappilinho).