There will be some Orlando Pirates representation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, following the announcement of Namibia and South Africa’s senior men’s squads this week.
The Brave Warriors and Bafana Bafana confirmed their final squads, with four Buccaneers set to swap club colours for those of their respective national teams in the coming days.
Among those called up for the crucial fixtures is the Bafana trio of Nkosinathi Sibisi, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Relebohile Mofokeng. They are part of head coach Hugo Broos’ 23-man squad that will travel to take on Nigeria in Uyo on Friday, 7 June before locking horns with Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein four days later.
Sibisi has been a squad regular in recent years and made his last international appearance in March’s friendly against Andorra alongside Maswanganyi, who earned his first cap in the fixture. They are joined in the squad by a potential debutant in Mofokeng, with the 19-year-old rewarded for some eye-catching performances throughout the 2023/24 season.
Meanwhile, Namibia will lean on Deon Hotto’s experience and familiarity with Orlando Stadium, as the veteran winger features in Collin Benjamin’s 30-man squad that will set up base at the iconic venue where they host Liberia and Tunisia in games taking place next Wednesday and Sunday, respectively.
The 33-year-old helped the Brave Warriors to a historic second-round finish in the recent Africa Cup of Nations and could add more caps to his collection.
All four players are expected to depart the Bucs camp in the days following Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final in Mbombela.
International Fixtures Involving Orlando Pirates Players
Wednesday, 5 June
● Namibia vs Liberia at Orlando Stadium, Kick-off at 18:00
Friday, 7 June
● Nigeria vs South Africa at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, 21:00
Sunday, 9 June
● Namibia vs Tunisia at Orlando Stadium, 18:00
Tuesday, 11 June
● South Africa vs Zimbabwe at Free State Stadium, 18:00
