Host of Orlando Pirates stars called up for international duty

Posted on March 19, 2026
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Orlando Pirates will be represented across four football nations during the upcoming FIFA international break, with several players called up for their respective national teams ahead of the fixtures that get underway later in the month. 

The first international break of the new year kicks off in the coming week, with friendly matches scheduled for various nations.

Earned call-ups

A total of nine Bucs players are set to depart for international duty after earning call-ups through consistent performances over the past few weeks. 

Making the longest trip out of the nine is forward Andre de Jong, who returns to New Zealand’s national team.

The 29-year-old will be part of the All Whites squad that will be taking part in the FIFA Series, where they will be locking horns with Finland and Chile. 

The two fixtures which take place at Eden Park in Auckland also serve as preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with De Jong among the hopefuls for a place in the squad that will be jetting off to North America for the prestigious event. 

Bucs stalwart

This year’s FIFA Series also features Namibia who travel to Kazakhstan for games against Kuwait and one of two other nations in Comoros and the hosts. Brave Warriors head coach Collin Benjamin has included Orlando Pirates stalwart Deon Hotto in the squad that will be taking part in the fixtures. 

Zimbabwe meanwhile take part in a Four Nations tournament hosted by Botswana. The Warriors’ squad for the competition includes Bucs winger Daniel Msendami who could add to his 13 international caps, having represented his country at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. 

The tournament kicks off on 28 March with Malawi and Zambia also taking part. The fixtures and kick-off times are still to be confirmed.

National squad regulars

The vast majority of the players called up for international duty will be turning out for South Africa in their two friendlies against Panama.

The group includes national squad regulars in captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, midfielder Thalente Mbatha plus the forward quartet of Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Relebohile Mofokeng and Evidence Makgopa. 

The six players could add to their respective caps in the two matches which take place in Durban and Cape Town. 

All nine players will depart the Bucs camp following Sunday’s Betway Premiership clash against TS Galaxy.

List of Orlando Pirates players called up for international duty:

South Africa

  • Nkosinathi Sibisi
  • Thalente Mbatha
  • Oswin Appollis
  • Tshepang Moremi
  • Relebohile Mofokeng
  • Evidence Makgopa

New Zealand

Namibia

Zimbabwe

Total: Nine players across four national teams.

Upcoming International Fixtures 

All times South Africa

Wednesday, 25 March 

Namibia vs Kuwait at Astana Arena – 08:00

Thursday, 26 March 

New Zealand vs Finland at Eden Park – 23:00 

Friday, 27 March 

South Africa vs Panama at Moses Mabhida Stadium – 19:00

Saturday, 28 March 

Namibia vs TBC (Kazakhstan or Comoros) – TBC 

Sunday, 29 March 

New Zealand vs Finland – 23:00

Tuesday, 31 March 

South Africa vs Panama at Cape Town Stadium – 19:30