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Sudan-born father sees his son play in the A-League for the first time and proudly describes himself as a ‘fair dinkum Australian’ in tribute to the nation that gave his family a fresh start
- Ben Yengi was over the moon after watching his son Kusini play in the A-League
- Mr Yengi, 81, moved to Adelaide in the 1970s and has long been a refugee advocate
- Awarded an OAM for his tireless work helping others in Adelaide communities
- Mentioned on camera that he is Sudanese by nationality, but a ‘fair dinkum Australian’
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The father of Western Sydney Wanderers star Kusini Yengi stole the show in a touching TV interview during an A-League match over the weekend.
Ben Yengi had just watched his son’s team beat Perth Glory 1-0 at Commbank Stadium – and was delighted to see Kusini play for the first time in Australia for the first time.
Speaking to Channel 10’s Tristan MacManus on the pitch moments after the final whistle in Parramatta in western Sydney, the long-standing advocate for refugees from Adelaide was proud to watch his son fulfill his sporting dream.
“It was exciting to watch him play, a real privilege,” said 81-year-old Mr. Yengi.
He clearly enjoyed his time in front of the camera, then told viewers that he was “born in South Sudan, of Sudanese nationality”, but is also an “honest dinkum Australian”.
Kusini Yengi of the Wanderers impressed in their A-League season opener against Perth Glory
Yengi snr moved to Australia in the 1970s in search of a better place to raise his family after a famine in Africa.
He quickly immersed himself in community life and was awarded an OAM for his tireless work with migrant families in South Australia.
Yengi studied and worked for a number of refugee, multicultural and health organizations as well as for the University of Adelaide – at the same time always trying to give something back to family and friends who live very different lives in Uganda.
Once it became clear that two of his sons – Kusini and Tete – had the potential to build professional careers in football, he encouraged both of them to realize their potential.
Refugee lawyer Ben Yengi (pictured right) was delighted after seeing his son Kusini play in Australia for the first time in real life with the Wanderers last Sunday
Yengi, 23, has joined the Wanderers after earning his A-League streaks at Adelaide
Tete Yengi, 21, is currently practicing in Finland with VPS, on loan from English League One outfit Ipswich Town.
“I have encouraged them to get the most out of their football,” senior Yengi told the A-League website Take care.
“I pray hard for them to develop football skills that are acceptable at an international level.
I’m very proud of them and my pride gets bigger and bigger every week.’
His son added that it was ‘wonderful’ to see his highly respected old man in action, before the striker turned his attention to the Wanderers round two clash against Melbourne Victory on October 15.