National pride will be on the line for Orlando Pirates stars, who have swapped the club’s famous black and white for their national colours ahead of the final rounds of CAF World Cup Qualifiers in the coming days.
Spots in the global showpiece event remain up for grabs as the October FIFA break takes center stage. The international window presents a chance for Namibia to enhance their chance of making a 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, 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.
Closer to home, a larger Bucs entourage has been entrusted with restoring Bafana Bafana’s spot among the planet’s elite. A total of eight players made the cut in Hugo Broos’ 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 that makes up part of the squad tasked with lifting South Africa back to top spot in Group H, having slipped down 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 Pirates players in the squad.
All seven stand to feature in games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, set to be played within South African shores in Durban and Mbombela.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (Selected Fixtures)
Thursday, 9 October
Liberia vs Namibia at Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex – 18:00
Friday, 10 October
Zimbabwe vs South Africa at Moses Mabhida Stadium – 18:00
Monday, 13 October
Tunisia vs Namibia at Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi – 15:00
Tuesday, 14 October
South Africa vs Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium – 18:00
All times are SAST.
