Khalil Ben Youssef hails Poggenpoel Bafana comeback after World Cup heartbreak

Durban City head coach Khalil Ben Youssef has praised midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel for working himself into the national team fold for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers after missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.

The 26-year-old anchorman was in the preliminary squad for the global showpiece co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, but was omitted from the final squad alongside Kaizer Chiefs pair Lebohang Maboe and Brandon Petersen.

Notably, the three players were present during the final team announcement at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, which sparked an uproar across the South African football fraternity as many were unimpressed with the trio's treatment.

Ben Youssef is still appalled at the manner in which the players were snubbed from the final World Cup squad, describing the situation as one that could have dampened their confidence to continue playing professional football.

“I think we spoke with the player about the mindset that he has, Poggenpoel. If you have to remember before the World Cup what they did to some players, to ask them to come and they are ready to fly and they are in the preliminary list,” recalled the Tunisian mentor.

"Remember these three players, Petersen, Maboe, and Poggenpoel. It was something so tough for them and until now I can't have an explanation about what they did. Another player would lose confidence, even the desire to play football.

"You come with your luggage, ready to fly to America to play the World Cup and then they tell you, sorry you don't have a place you have to go back home. Fortunately for us, the mindset that they have [is strong].

The former Chiefs co-coach, however, is pleased with how Poggenpoel responded to the adversity of missing out on the World Cup and setbacks in the early stages of the 2026/27 campaign, hailing his mental fortitude.

“Poggenpoel continued to work. I had a meeting with him from the first day, we discussed about his objectives, it was clear, ‘I have to be a part of the next call-up of Bafana’,” Ben Youssef added.

"Fortunately for him, he continued to work, remember also he missed two games [because] when we played the MTN8 [vs Orlando Pirates] he took a red card, same he continued to work, very good mindset, professional player.

"And I don't have to discuss only about Poggenpoel. I think even in the next call-up there will be one or two more players from Durban City who will be part of the list.

Poggenpoel will be eager to make his Bafana debut with Pitso Mosimane's troops set to host Guinea at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, 26 September, before facing Eritrea at a neutral venue in Cairo, where they play Egypt in a friendly match next month.

Hlayisani Magoro

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Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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