Molefi Ntseki: Edson Castillo's Venezuela call-up a huge plus for PSL

Speaking to the media at the launch of the new Carling Knockout in Hyde Park on Tuesday, Ntseki says Castillo’s call-up means there’s an international focus on the DStv Premiership. 

READ: The losses are concerning, admits Molefi Ntseki

Castillo has enjoyed a good start to life in South Africa, scoring four goals in 12 matches in all competitions, and received a late call-up to Fernando Batista’s side to face Brazil and Chile in their World Cup qualifiers.

"It says we are a top league in Africa, in the Southern region, and I think we are also playing good football because, if Kaizer Chiefs is not playing good football, how would you scout a player from Kaizer Chiefs," questioned Ntseki.

"But the most important thing, I think he's a quality player and he makes it very easy whenever he's on the pitch. I think, with the scouts who selected him, it's because of the tactical understanding of which he is showing as an individual by scoring goals.

"He has done very well for the club, so I think [with] the national team having selected him, they are looking forward to have him in the team and score goals for them, as he has done with us at Kaizer Chiefs."

Castillo is no stranger to the Venezuelan national team, having been capped 12 times already, but his last call-up dates back as far as the 2021 Copa America. 

The Wine-Red, as the Venezuelan men’s senior football team is known, are away to Brazil on Friday before hosting Chile next Tuesday. 

Ntseki feels the recognition of the 29-year-old’s performances was well-deserved.

"Edson already has 12 caps, he has been in the national team before, but in the last two seasons he was never selected to be part of the team," noted the Amakhosi mentor.

"So I think, in us bringing him to the club, with the type of player he is, the qualities that he possesses, we are to strike a good tactical balance to achieve our good performances and getting results, so I think he's been doing well and that's why the national team scouts have seen him to be a missing player they need to bring back into their team."

After having only three players on international duty in the last international week in September, Chiefs now have five players away during the current FIFA break, including Castillo, Mdantsane, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Botswana’s Thatoyaone Ditlhokwe, and Mozambican utility defender Edmilson Dove.

ALSO READ: Hugo Broos clarifies Mduduzi Mdantsane's late Bafana call-up