Eight Pirates players called up by three nations

ENGAGEMENT: Six Buccaneers in Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana Bafana squad, while Gamphani Lungu returns to Zambia’s set-up and Deon Hotto earns  Namibia call-up ahead of the AFCON qualifiers…

By Own Sports Correspondent

Orlando Pirates will have eight players on international duty with South Africa, Zambia and Namibia during the upcoming FIFA window, with two Buccaneers in line for their Bafana Bafana debuts.

Newly appointed South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane has named defender Lebone Seema and striker Yanela Mbuthuma in his squad for the opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea.

Seema has carried the form that earned him last season’s Premiership Defender of the Season award into the new campaign. He has been part of a Pirates defence that has kept eight clean sheets in 10 matches across all competitions.

Mbuthuma has also made a strong case for selection, scoring three goals and providing two assists in his past three appearances.

They join four more established Bafana squad members from Pirates: goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele and Oswin Appollis. South Africa hosts Guinea on September 26 before facing Eritrea on September 30. New Pirates signing Gamphani Lungu has earned his first Zambia call-up in more than two years after an impressive start at the club. The 27-year-old, who has 15 international caps, could feature when Zambia visit Algeria on 25 September and host Togo four days later.

Veteran winger Deon Hotto has been included in Namibia coach Collin Benjamin’s 29-man provisional squad. The Brave Warriors face Congo-Brazzaville and Comoros in AFCON qualifiers, followed by a friendly against Russia.

The Pirates players are expected to join their national team camps after the club’s Betway Premiership match against Durban City at Orlando Amstel Arena on Thursday.