Seven Orlando Pirates players will be on international duty in the coming days after receiving call-ups to represent their respective national teams during the September FIFA break.
Domestic football takes a short pause over the weekend, with international action taking center stage.
South Africa, Ghana, and Namibia have all named squads featuring Bucs stars as they prepare to participate in fixtures beginning on Thursday.
Five of the seven players called up will be turning out in the colours of Bafana Bafana, who host Namibia and DR Congo at Orlando Stadium on Saturday and Tuesday, respectively.
This is after national coach Hugo Broos named a 23-man squad which includes defenders Innocent Maela, Nkosinathi Sibisi, and Thabiso Monyane, along with forwards Monnapule Saleng and Zakhele Lepasa.
The five could be going toe-to-toe with another Bucs teammate on Saturday, with Deon Hotto once again named in the Brave Warriors squad that will be resuming preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers kicking off in November.
Experienced goalkeeper Richard Ofori is the other Buccaneer on national duty after being called up by Ghana head coach Chris Hughton. The 29-year-old could be making his first international appearance since turning out in a Friendly match against Nicaragua in Spain in September last year.
The Black Stars face off against the Central African Republic in their final Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier, with the fixture taking place in Kumasi on Thursday night. Their next assignment is an International Friendly in Accra, where they will be up against Liberia on Tuesday, the 12th.
The seven players will rejoin their Pirates teammates next week ahead of their CAF Champions League Second Preliminary Round first-leg fixture away to Jwaneng Galaxy on Sunday, 17 September.
International Fixtures Involving Orlando Pirates Players
Thursday, 7 September
● Ghana vs Central African Republic, Kick-off at 18:00 (CAT)
Saturday, 9 September
● South Africa vs Namibia, Kick-off at 15:00
Tuesday, 12 September
● South Africa vs DR Congo, Kick-off at 17:00
● Ghana vs Liberia, Kick-off at 18:00
