Pride on the line for Orlando Pirates’ international stars

National pride will be on the line for a number of Orlando Pirates stars who have swapped the club’s famous black and white colours for their national outfits ahead of the final rounds of CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in the coming days.

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Prestigious tournament

The international window presents a chance for Namibia to enhance their chance of making its World Cup debut while South Africa could return to the prestigious tournament for the first time since hosting it in 2010.

Both nations will be represented by Buccaneers players, with experienced winger Deon Hotto flying the Soweto giants’ flag for the Brave Warriors.

The 34-year-old has been a mainstay in Collin Benjamin’s squad and was called up once more, having contributed his third assist of the qualification campaign in a vital 3-0 over São Tome and Principe in their most recent qualifier.

While out of the automatic qualification spots, Namibia still have a chance to progress in Group H.

They are second behind Tunisia – who have secured their World Cup spot – with 15 points in their eight matches and require another two in their remaining matches against Liberia and the group winners to progress to the playoffs.

Hotto will be among Benjamin’s options in their next qualifier at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia on Thursday ahead of Monday night’s trip to the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi, where the Brave Warriors are set to meet the Lions of Carthage.

Made the cut

Closer to home, a larger Orlando Pirates entourage has been entrusted with restoring Bafana Bafana’s spot among the planet’s elite.

A total of eight players made the cut in coach Hugo Broos’s 23-man squad.

However, Relebohile Mofokeng has since pulled out due to an injury sustained during the Carling Knockout last 16 match against Siwelele FC.

Meanwhile, Evidence Makgopa has been called up in place of Iqraam Rayners.

The contingent makes up part of the squad tasked with lifting South Africa back to top spot in Group H, having slipped to second after a points deduction.

Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine is among the selected players, along with the defensive duo of Bucs captain Nkosinathi Sibisi and his deputy Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

Further up the field, Sipho Mbule, Thalente Mbatha, and Tshepang Moremi all make up the rest of the Orlando Pirates players in the squad.

All seven stand to feature in games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, set to be played in Durban and Mbombela.