Chiefs duo among 15 PSL foreigners called up for AFCON qualifiers
The Kaizer Chiefs duo of Edmilson Dove and Caleb Bimenyimana headline the PSL-based foreigners called-ups for AFCON qualifiers.
The AFCON qualifying matches kick off in the upcoming week with the return fixtures scheduled for next week.
Tshepo Rabothe of FARPost looks at the 15 PSL foreigners selected to do duty for their respective nations.
1. Edmilson Dove-Mozambique
Dove has established himself as one of the key players at Chiefs since joining them at the start of the 2022/23 DStv Premiership on a free transfer.
The 28-year centre-back has played 19 games in all competitions for Chiefs and chipped in with one goal and won several Man of the Match awards.
The Mambas visit reigning African champions Senegal on Friday 24 March, 2023 for an AFCON qualifier.
2. Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana-Burundi
The Chiefs’ talisman has been called up to the Burundian national team to play in two friendlies against Kenya.
Bimenyimana has made 19 appearances in all competitions for Amakhosi and has eight goals to his name.
3. Elias Pelembe-Mozambique
The veteran attacker who’s turning 40 years in November, has been called up to the Mamba squad that will face Senegal in back-to-back fixtures on the 24th and 28th of March.
Elias Pelembe has featured in 24 games for Royal AM in the current campaign including in the CAF Confederation Cup and contributed three assists.
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4. Rally Bwalya-Zambia
Adding to the PSL-based roll-call is AmaZulu midfielder Rally Bwalya, who joined the club from Simba SC of Tanzania at the start of the season.
Zambia play Lesotho in Group H with the first leg set for Lusaka on Thursday 23 March 2023.
He has made 18 appearances for Usuthu across all competitions and has been on target once.
5. Toaster Nsabata-Zambia
Nsabata has been called up to the Chipolopolo squad despite playing a bit-part role at Sekhukhune United.
After a strong maiden season [2021/22], Nsabata has played second fiddle to Badra Ali Sangare. As a result, he has been in and out of the Sekhukhune starting line-up.
Nonetheless, Nsabata has been selected by head coach Avram Grant for Zambia.
6. Roderick Kabwe-Zambia
Kabwe has made 13 appearances for Sekhukhune in the league, although he has no goal to show it in the Premiership.
However, Kabwe has scored two goals in the Nedbank Cup as Babina Noko are in the quarter-finals.
7. Badra Ali Sangare–Ivory coast
Sangare, who was at the 2022 AFCON that was staged in Cameroon, has been called up by Ivory Coast to play two qualifying matches against Comoros during the upcoming FIFA week.
The goalie has made 14 appearances in all competitions for Sekhukhune in the 2022/23 campaign.
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8. Thatoyaone Ditlhokwe-Botswana
The highly-rated centre-back has been one of the stand-out players in the PSL, and he has already signed a pre-contract with Kaizer Chiefs.
Ditlhokwe, who has been one of the key players for SuperSport United under Gavin Hunt, will be joining his Botswana teammates to face Equatorial Guinea in the AFCON qualifiers.
The 24-year-old defender has made 19 appearances in the league for SuperSport and scored two goals.
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9. Deon Hotto-Namibia
Hotto has been a regular starter in the Orlando Pirates team under Jose Riveiro. He will do duty for the Brave Warriors who take on Cameroon in a Group C encounter on Thursday.
The speedy winger has made 27 appearances in all competitions for Pirates this season and scored two goals while contributing one assist.
10. Lloyd Kazapua-Namibia
The Chippa United goalkeeper has been called up to the Nam squad to face Cameroon in the qualifiers. Kazapua made 16 appearances in the league for the Chilli Boys.
11. Riaan Hanamub-Namibia
Hanamub has been a regular starter for AmaZulu after making 26 appearances in all competitions while contributing two assists.
12. Elmo Kambindu-Namibia
Kambindu, who joined Chippa United at the start of the season, has managed to play 13 games in the league.
Despite having a drought in front of goals, he has been trusted to do duty for the Namibian national team.
13. Peter Shalulile-Namibia
Shalulile has been rewarded for his fine goal-scoring form for Mamelodi Sundowns. ‘Shasha’ as he’s famously known, scored 19 goals in 24 appearances for Sundowns while contributing four assists.
14. Salim Magoola-Uganda
Magoola has been one of the stand-out players for Richards Bay in their maiden season in DStv Premiership.
The 27-year shot-stopper has featured in all Richards Bay matches this season, making 23 appearances in all competitions and keeping 11 clean sheets.
He will have to bring his club form to country when they host Tanzania on Friday, 24 March 2023.
15. David Ulomi-Tanzania
The 23-year-old highly-rated midfielder was signed by Swallows in February as strengthened their squad to fight relegation. Ulomi has made four appearances for Swallows so far.
Newly appointed Tanzania coach Adel Amrouche has included him in his squad to face Uganda.
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