There will be strong Orlando Pirates representation across different national teams during the upcoming FIFA international break.The first international window of the 2024/25 season kicks off on the first week of September with the next set of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers taking centre stage.
Seven Bucs players stand to feature for their national teams this time around after Nigeria, Namibia, and South Africa all revealed their final squads for the fixtures this week.
Among them is defender Olisa Ndah, who stands to earn his first cap for the Super Eagles since 2022 after receiving a call-up from newly appointed head coach Bruno Labbadia. The 26-year-old was one of the pivotal figures in a successful season for the Buccaneers and stands to add to his two international appearances as Nigeria prepare to face off against Benin and Rwanda.
For Namibia, Deon Hotto has earned another call-up ahead of qualifiers against Cameroon and Kenya. The Brave Warriors stalwart has turned out 65 times for his country, featuring consistently over the past decade.
Five of the seven Bucs stars will run out in the colours of South Africa after national coach Hugo Broos finalised his squad on Thursday.
The 23-man squad features the uncapped Thalente Mbatha who has been one of the star turns for the Soweto Giants during the latter half of the previous season. The 24-year-old earns his first call up and is one of two Buccaneers yet to feature for Bafana, along with goalkeeper Sipho Chaine who has established himself as one of the top shot-stoppers in the South African top flight.
The midfield duo of Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng has been retained, with each player currently sitting on a single cap after debuting earlier in the year. Defender Nkosinathi Sibisi rounds up the Bucs contingent in the squad and is the most capped player out of the five, having earned four official caps.
Bafana Bafana begin their quest for AFCON 2025 qualification Uganda at Orlando Stadium, with the fixture taking place on Friday 6 September. They next take on South Sudan four days later at Juba National Stadium.
AFCON Qualifiers Featuring Orlando Pirates Players
Friday, 6 September
- South Africa vs Uganda at Orlando Stadium, Kick-off at 18:00
Saturday, 7 September
- Nigeria vs Benin at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, 18:00
- Cameroon vs Namibia at Jason’s Stadium, 18:00
Tuesday, 10 September
- South Sudan vs South Africa at Juba Stadium, 15:00
- Rwanda vs Nigeria at Amakhosi Stadium, 15:00
- Namibia vs Kenyaat Orlando Stadium, 18:00
All times are SAST.
