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Kaizer Chiefs star meets Lionel Messi

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Edson Castillo got to rub shoulders with the great Lionel Messi in a recent World Cup qualifier.


Castillo gets a taste of World Cup qualifying, meets Lionel Messi

Venezuela held World Champions Argentina to a 1-1 draw on Friday night in a notoriously difficult section of World Cup qualifying. Former Man City defender Nicolas Otamendi put Argentina in front on 13 minutes but journeyman striker Salomon Rondon equalised on 65 minutes to give La Vinotinto a share of the spoils. Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Edson Castillo was a late substitute in Monagas at a stadium where he used to play his home games at club level.


Kaizer Chiefs star gets some rare minutes for Venezuela

30-year-old midfield dynamo Edson Castillo made his debut for La Vinotinto in June 2021. That’s almost three years and three months ago. In that time, he’s only collected 10 caps. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to deduce that Edson Castillo isn’t a key part of the Venezuela setup. He wasn’t in their Copa América squad and isn’t part of the latest squad to face Bolivia and Uruguay. However, he was a late substitute in their 1-1 draw with Argentina on Friday. Before this, his last competitive action was in November 2023 when he played only 11 minutes across TWO World Cup qualifiers. Before that, the last sniff of game time he got was in October 2021 when he got 25 minutes against Brazil in a World Cup qualifier.

Is Castillo getting a lifeline at the international level? He was also recently in the starting XI for Chiefs against Sundowns so Nasreddine Nabi might fancy him for the big games.

edson castillo kaizer chiefs
Edson Castillo rubbed shoulders with Lionel Messi in Monagas. Image: Fox Sports

Bafana thump Congo

Elsewhere on the international scene, Castillo’s Amakhosi teammate Rushwin Dortley started again for Bafana Bafana as they thumped Congo 5-0. Hugo Broos’ men have taken charge of Afcon qualifying Group K.

Teboho Mokoena’s brace and goals from Bathusi Aubaas, Lyle Foster and substitute Iqraam Rayners completed the 5-0 rout for Bafana over lowly Congo. Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker Themba ‘Mshishi’ Zwane brought up his 50th cap on the night. South Africa has seven points from three qualifying matches and faces Congo in the return leg on Monday 15 October.

Starting XI vs Congo: Williams; Mudau, Kekana, Dortley, Modiba; Aubaas, Mokoena; Mokwana, Appollis; Foster, Zwane.

Subs used: Iqraam Rayners, Relebohile Mofokeng, Thapelo Morena, Luke Le Roux, Sinoxolo Kwayiba.


Does Castillo still have value to offer Chiefs?

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