The Orlando Pirates contingent involved in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers played over the past week return to camp later this week, having experienced varied success in national colours.
Namibia, Nigeria, and South Africa all featured members of the current Buccaneers setup as they each began their bid to secure participation in the next continental showpiece event, taking place in Morocco next year. A total of seven Pirates players were involved in the September internationals, and orlandopiratesfc.com looks at how they fared over the past week.
Ndah’s Homecoming
It was a special homecoming for defender Olisa Ndah, who made his first appearance for Nigeria in over two years when they secured a convincing 3-0 win over Benin in Uyo over the weekend. The 26-year-old was brought on to replace Fulham centre-back Calvin Bassey in the second half and gave an assured display during his 27 minutes on the pitch.
He was named on the bench away to Rwanda but was not called upon as the Super Eagles toiled to a goalless draw. The four points earned by Nigeria in their two games see them take pole position in Group D, a point ahead of Benin.
Heartbreak for Hotto
For Namibia’s Deon Hotto, it was a tough few days as his side suffered close defeats in each of their two fixtures against Cameroon and Kenya, respectively. The 33-year-old started on the left wing and lasted the whole 90 minutes in the 1-0 loss away to the Indomitable Lions and netted a late consolation goal as the Brave Warriors lost 2-1 in their home game against the Harambee Stars played at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.
The results mean that their next four AFCON Qualifiers present an uphill climb as they look to make their way up from the bottom of Group J.
Bafana’s Dramatic Voyage
Thalente Mbatha was the key figure in what was a dramatic start to South Africa’s qualification campaign, netting in injury time to salvage a point at home to Uganda before repeating the feat in South Sudan where his late strike secured a 3-2 victory against the hosts. The 24-year-old was making his international debut in the match played at Orlando Stadium, where he was a late substitution alongside Bucs teammate Relebohile Mofokeng, who earned both his second and third cap making an impact off the bench in both fixtures.
Also debuting for Bafana Bafana during the AFCON qualifiers was goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, whose special moment came in the victory against South Sudan. Meanwhile, defender Nkosinathi Sibisi and midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi were named on the bench for each of the two fixtures, but did not get the opportunity to feature.
South Africa is second in Group K, tied on four points with Uganda who edge them on goal difference.
