While our own Bafana Bafana are preparing to take on Nigeria in a crunch qualifier in Port Elizabeth over the weekend, Santos’ Zvenyika Makonese, Tawonga Chimodzi, Jerome Ramatlhakwane and Mogogi Gabonamong will be trying to assist their countries in the quest to qualify for the Nations Cup.

Zimbabwean Makonese, a muscular central defender nicknamed “Soldier”, is a key component of his country’s rearguard.

Zimbabwe take on Guinea in Harare on Sunday and there is no doubt that the no-nonsense, tough-tackling “Soldier” will play a major role if the Zimbabweans are to get a positive result.

Silky midfielder Chimodzi of Malawi, just 19, is one of the most promising young footballers at Santos – he was the club’s Rookie of the Year last season – is hoping to make a positive impact when his country faces Djibouti in Djibouti on Friday.

Lastly, the Botswana duo of striker Ramatlhakwane and defensive midfielder Gabonamong make up the spine of their country’s team.

Botswana, the same country where Santos coach David Bright hails from, take on Madagascar in Antananarivo, and both “JJ” (Ramatlhakwane) and “Gino” (Gabonamong) will be giving their all to assist their nation to victory.