Kaizer Chiefs star midfielder earns national team spot despite Nasreddine Nabi’s comments.
In a stunning move, Chiefs attacking midfielder Edson Castillo has earned a spot on Venezuela’s squad for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Paraguay. This surprise call-up comes even though Chiefs coach Nabi has expressed concerns about Castillo’s recent form.
Last season, Castillo stood out as one of Amakhosi’s best players, but his performance declined toward the end, which contributed to the club’s disappointing 10th-place finish. This season, Castillo has shown flashes of his potential in three games, but Nabi believes the 30-year-old has yet to fully regain his top form.
“Castillo last season started good, but he went down [in his performances]… maybe that situation impacted his morale, his confidence,” Nabi said as per IOL.
Nabi’s warning: “No free passes”
Nabi emphasised that Castillo must regain his confidence to move forward. “I give him a chance, but there aren’t many chances left. I believe he’s professional; if he gets his confidence back, he will progress.”
After eight matches, Venezuela currently ranks sixth in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying with 10 points. The top six finishers will secure direct spots in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Venezuela’s head coach has placed his trust in Castillo by selecting him for the upcoming matches:
Thursday, October 10: Venezuela vs. Argentina (Caracas)
Tuesday, October 15: Paraguay vs. Venezuela (Asunción)
Castillo’s chance to shine
This call-up gives Castillo a chance to regain his form and play a crucial role in helping Venezuela secure a World Cup spot. Kaizer Chiefs fans will closely watch to see if their midfielder can meet the challenge.
Venezuela’s upcoming matches are vital for their World Cup qualifying campaign. Winning against Argentina and Paraguay could significantly boost their ranking, while losses might threaten their chances of qualifying for the tournament.
If Castillo is good enough to represent Venezuela in a crucial match against a Lionel Messi-led Argentina, then what do the strange comments from the new head coach of Kaizer Chiefs really mean? Clearly, Castillo is doing something right to earn this opportunity on the international stage.
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