Impressive Kusini Yengi’s Championship warning after sparkling Portsmouth breakthrough
The impressive striker Kusini Yengi scored 13 goals in 31 appearances during his maiden season at Fratton Park. Yengi is adamant that the Fratton faithful have yet to see the best of him and is optimistic about overcoming his international commitments to flourish in the Championship.
The 25-year-old enjoyed an outstanding first campaign in English football after joining from Western Sydney Wanderers in July 2023. He made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut against Bristol Rovers. Beyond his club success, Yengi also achieved his international breakthrough with Australia, earning six caps and scoring one goal.
Reflecting on his season, Yengi expressed his determination to improve and contribute even more significantly next season. “I don’t think we’ve seen the best of me,” he said. “I have a lot more to improve on and a lot more to work on. I will continue working in this off-season and hopefully come back stronger and better.”
Yengi is confident that with experience, he will better manage the challenges of balancing international duties and club commitments, allowing him to perform consistently at a high level for Portsmouth.
Yengi acknowledges that his commitments with the Socceroos have impacted his end-of-season performances for Portsmouth as he adjusts to the demands of being an international footballer. Reflecting on his season, he told *The News*, “Personally, it has been a season of ups and downs with injury and starting and then I’m not starting. Overall, though, I’ve enjoyed it and learnt a lot. I’ve been able to contribute to what has been an amazing season for Pompey – and you’ve not yet seen the best of me. Definitely not.”
He admits to being his own harshest critic, especially regarding his recent performances. “I am probably my harshest critic, especially in the last couple of games when I didn’t play that well,” Yengi said. He recognizes the challenge of balancing international duties with club responsibilities, stating, “But it’s a new experience travelling to Oz for the internationals and that’s something I have to learn, another challenge I have to go through. My body adjusting to the travel before coming back and straight into playing for Pompey again.”
Despite the difficulties, Yengi is optimistic about adapting to the demands of international travel. “Now I have done it a couple of times, I am getting used to it a bit more and I’m sure next year it won’t be a problem. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of me, I have a lot more to improve on and a lot more to work on. I will continue working in this off-season and hopefully come back stronger and better.”
Yengi made 26 appearances in League One, starting only seven games as he competed with Colby Bishop for a spot in the lineup.
Despite the challenges, Kusini Yengi maintained an impressive scoring rate, including finding the net in two of the last three matches of Portsmouth’s League One title-winning season.
Reflecting on the team dynamics, Yengi emphasized the importance of camaraderie. He said, “The camaraderie is the strength of all great teams and we also have that spirit. We all get along off the field as much as we get along on it, which helped us a lot. This is a very close group, you see that on the field in the way we fight for each other.”
Yengi’s remarks highlight the strong team spirit that contributed to their successful campaign and his optimistic outlook for the future as he aims to continue his development and impact in the Championship.
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