Poggenpoel earns Bafana Bafana recall after Durban City revival

Brooklyn Poggenpoel has been rewarded for rebuilding his form at Durban City with a place in Pitso Mosimane’s final 30-man Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming international window.

The midfielder was included in Hugo Broos’ FIFA World Cup squad alongside Lebohang Maboe and Brandon Petersen, but all three were ultimately omitted from the final selection and listed as emergency players.

That disappointment did not derail Poggenpoel’s progress. He continued to train and perform for Durban City, earning a return to the national-team setup for a window that includes two AFCON qualifiers.

Durban City head coach Khalil Ben Youssef praised the midfielder’s response to missing out on the World Cup after his side’s 2-0 defeat by Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Thursday.

Ben Youssef said the experience could have damaged the confidence and motivation of the players involved, particularly after they had prepared to travel before being told they would not be part of the final group.

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

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

“You know you come with your luggage ready to fly to America to play the World Cup and they tell you sorry, you don’t have place, you have to go back home. Fortunately for us the mindset that they have, Poggenpeol, continues to work.”

The coach said Poggenpoel had identified a return to Bafana Bafana as his target from their first conversation.

“From the first day I had a meeting with him and we discussed about what’s your objective.

“It was clear, I have to be in the part of the next call-up of Bafana-Bafana. Fortunately for him he continues to work.”

Poggenpoel’s progress also came despite a suspension during the MTN8. He missed two matches after being sent off, but Ben Youssef said the incident had not changed the midfielder’s approach.

“Remember also he missed two games when he played in the MTN8, he took a red card.

“Same, he continues to work. Very good mindset, professional player.”

Ben Youssef added that Poggenpoel may not be the only Durban City player to attract attention from the national team under Mosimane.

“I don’t have to discuss only about Poggenpoel.

“I think even next call-up there is one or two more players from Durban City will be part of the list.”