Kaizer Chiefs star Edson Castillo has earned a late call-up to the Venezuela national team that are set to face Brazil and Chile in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Castillo, 29, has been in fine form since his move to Chiefs in the off-season with four goals in his first 12 games in all competitions.
After initially arriving as a defensive midfielder, his industrious displays and ability in the final third has seen him being utilised further upfield by head coach Molefi Ntseki
Fernando Batista has now called him up as a replacement for Jesus Bueno who stars for Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Philadelphia Union.
Castillo, who featured for the South American side at the 2021 Copa America will now have the chance to add to his six senior international caps.
He’s set to depart Johannesburg on Tuesday morning ahead of their fixture against Brazil on Friday at the Arena Pantanal while they host Chile in his homeland next Tuesday.
His country are fifth in the 10-nation COMNEBOL qualifiers with one win and a defeat in their opening two games Colombia and Paraguay respectively.
Castillo is one of five players called up for international duty. Botswana called up Thatayoane Ditlhokwe, Mozambique called up Edmilson Dove, while Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Mduduzi Mdantsane are in the Bafana Bafana squad.
