Kaizer Chiefs right-back Thabiso Monyane has revealed why he lived with Lyle Foster’s family and considers the striker his brother.
The two grew up together even in the game having been side-by side from academy years into their respective professional careers that also saw them represent the country in different age groups including the senior national team.
Monyane spoke to iDiski Times senior writer Matshelane Mamabolo recalling how he lived in the Foster family home because his parents had temporarily moved to Cape Town while he was still in the Academy.
The 25-year-old also expressed how much of an inspiration the Burnley striker has been by always encouraging and pushing him.
“My brother Lyle Foster, I call him my brother now because we’ve been together for so long, since I was 12, and it has been nothing but a great blessing to be with him, ” Monyane told iDiski Times.
“What led to me living with his family was because my parents had moved to Cape Town and at that time, the club I was with, Orlando Pirates, had moved me and Lyle to Parktown Boys High. And his family took me in and adopted me as their child until my parents came back. So, I lived with the Foster family, and we did everything together, training together.
“Lyle has been nothing but a brother, but most importantly, he is someone that’s been there to elevate me because I remember he went to the first team before me, and that pushed me to work hard and try to get there too. And eventually I got to the first team, but when I got there, he moved to Monaco, and that inspired me to say it is possible; that I must work hard to get there myself.
“What we have is a brother bond; he is my brother, man. He is family to me, as well as the Foster family. Seeing Lyle’s success pushes me. And that just goes to show that, you know, you actually need to work hard and actually push because you never stop learning in football.
“So, to me, it’s been absolutely inspirational and so good for me and my group from the junior ranks. It’s really heart-warming to see the likes of Lyle being in Europe; it is evidence that he worked hard, and there’s also [Oswin] Appollis and many more.”
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