Players from the Betway Premiership have fanned out across the continent this week to help their respective countries look for World Cup success, as the qualifiers for next year’s finals in North America reach a crucial juncture.
On top of the large contingent called up by South Africa coach Hugo Broos for the key Group C qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria in Bloemfontein, players from top flight South African clubs will be representing a further 13 different countries.
Goalkeepers Sekhoane Moerane from Orbit College and Stanley Nwabali of Chippa United are expected to play against South Africa in Bloemfontein. Bafana are ‘away’ to Lesotho on Friday and then host Nigeria at the Free State Stadium next Tuesday.
Also in South Africa’s group are Zimbabwe, who have a game away against Benin on Friday and then will use the Orlando Stadium in Soweto for their ‘home’ match next Tuesday against Rwanda, who have Kaizer Chiefs reserve goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari in their goal.
Zimbabwe have called up AmaZulu’s new striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya for the first time, following his goals in his Durban club‘s last two games against Sekhukhune United and Magesi.
Botswana still have outside hopes but must do the near-impossible and win away in Algeria on Thursday and Mozambique on Monday. They have selected Richards Bay’s new signing Benson Mangalo among their defenders.
Midfield hardman Manuel Kambala from Polokwane City continues his comeback with Mozambique, who also still have an an outside qualifying chance in Group G.
Uganda shocked with a return for 40-year-old Denis Onyango and Salum Magoola to their squa for their two home games in the same group. After they host Mozambique on Friday, they then have Somalia at home on Monday.
THESE ARE THE BETWAY PREMIERSHIP PLAYERS HEADED ON WORLD CUP DUTY THIS WEEK:
BOTSWANA: Benson Mangalo (Richards Bay)
CHAD: Eric Mbangoussam (Chippa United)
EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Manuel Sapunga (Sekhukhune United)
ESWATINI: Justice Figuareido (Chippa United), Alakhe Mdluli (AmaZulu)
KENYA: Brian Bwire (Polokwane City)
LESOTHO: Sekhoane Moerane (Orbit College)
NAMIBIA: Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu), Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates), Joslin Kamatuka (Durban City), Edward Maova (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)
NIGERIA: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)
MALAWI: Frank Mhango (Richards Bay)
MOZAMBIQUE: Manuel Kambala (Polokwane City)
RWANDA: Fiacre Ntwari (Kaizer Chiefs)
UGANDA: Salim Magoola (Richards Bay), Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns)
ZIMBABWE: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thando Ngwenya (AmaZulu)