With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has identified four Amakhosi standouts he believes deserve call-ups from Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos.
The Tunisian tactician commented about the ongoing exclusion of the Chiefs players in the Bafana squad after the Glamour Boys played to a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby on Sunday afternoon.
Chiefs and Pirates shared the spoils in the Betway Premiership tie at FNB Stadium after Pule Mmodi and Kamogelo Sebelebele scored to give their respective sides a point apiece.
The Naturena-based side drew the first blood in the second-half before Pirates found the equalising goal to avoid a defeat against their rivals. In the mouth-watering derby clash, Brandon Petersen, alongside many other Chiefs players, produced impressive performances to stop a free-scoring Pirates that beat TS Galaxy and Golden Arrows 6-0 and 5-0 in the past few matches.
Petersen subsequently won the Man-of-the-Match award against the Sea Robbers after producing a solid performance between the sticks to deny Pirates maximum points. The former Bidvest Wits goalie has been a key figure for Chiefs in the current campaign, having featured in 20 league games, keeping 13 clean sheets and conceding 10 goals.
Despite establishing himself as one of the league’s standout goalkeepers this season, Petersen has remained sidelined from the national setup alongside several in-form teammates. The shot-stopper was recently denied a return to the international stage by a health scare; Bafana coach Broos confirmed he had intended to select Petersen for last month’s friendlies against Panama, only for the injury to scupper those plans.
KHALIL BEN YOUSSEF BACKS CHIEFS PLAYERS FOR BAFANA NOD
Addressing the continued exclusion of Chiefs players from Bafana Bafana, Ben Youssef made a case for the quartet of Petersen, Cross, Monyane, and Maboe, stating they merit a place in Hugo Broos’ plans.
“I think it’s not only Petersen [who deserves a Bafana call-up], we have four or five players putting pressure on the coach [Hugo Broos], and I feel for him because I think it will be tough for him to decide,” Ben Youssef said.
“Petersen, in this game against Pirates, even before the injury, he was showing good performances, working very well with his [goalkeeper] coach, Ilyes Mzoughi. In my view, he deserves to be in the national team based on his performances; it’s not a gift. Same for Cross, Maboe, and Monyane, I think they are pushing, and I think it’s time for Kaizer Chiefs players to be part of the national team.”
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