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De Jong: ‘Joining Pirates pushes my World Cup aspirations’

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Andre De Jong of Orlando Pirates celebrates a goal with teammates during the 2026 Nedbank Cup match between Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 7 February 2026 © Alche Greeff/BackpagePix

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Staff Reporter

Friday Feb 20, 2026. 11:00

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New Orlando Pirates signing Andre de Jong views his move to Mayfair as extra motivation to make New Zealand’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

The 29-year-old attacking midfielder joined the Buccaneers from Betway Premiership rivals Stellenbosch during the January transfer window and was handed his debut in the 2-0 win over Magesi three weeks ago.

De Jong has yet to start for Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side, but made his third appearance off the bench in the 2-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday which slashed the gap to the league leaders to three points.

The former AmaZulu and Royal AM player has won 11 caps for the All Whites and was called up for the last two international windows in October and November.

De Jong is now hoping to gain more exposure at Pirates to put him firmly in the frame for the global showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the United States later this year.

“I’ve obviously been called up in the last two windows, so hopefully I can get a call-up in March. We’ve got a couple of friendlies in New Zealand,” he said.

“It’ll be amazing to be involved in those games to push for the final call-up for the World Cup.

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“Joining Pirates really pushes my aspirations to make the New Zealand World Cup team, so that’s one of my big goals and then also I joined because Pirates have collected a lot of trophies in the past.

“Being in an establishment like this is really good for my career. I’m really hoping to contribute to the team and win more trophies.

“Since the move to Pirates, I have seen the exposure that I’ve gotten. I think even people back in New Zealand have started to realise how big of a move it is, which is obviously good for my ambitions.”

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Hibs: David Gray ‘will continue until told otherwise’ – but has Hibs boss lost the fans?

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David Gray took charge permanently in 2024 after three caretaker spells

Kieron: Kilmarnock could have won by three or four and it wouldn’t of flattered them. Hibs were so poor tonight. David Gray’s position is hanging by a thread.

Stuart: The players on that pitch have to take as much responsibility as Gray for this result, nowhere near good enough. Amateur performance.

Andy: How can Gray continue to keep his job? The players are not playing for him. The club is a mess. Banning the only fans that bring an atmosphere. Benching three of our best players. So confusing.

Chris: Question the tactics. Thought for long time long ball is desperate and lacks ambition. Pressure indeed on David Gray.

Lee: If we end the game two points off bottom spot then it’s surely time up for the Hibs manager. It’s not a run and recovery from a bad position needed, it’s deliver and results from the get go the support demands for a club of our size.

Stuart: The players on that pitch have to take as much responsibility as David Gray for this result, nowhere near good enough. Amateur performance.

Paul: Long balls to no-one as usual from Hibs and as usual our keeper is a weak link. Gray has to go even if we win as this is awful football. Bring in Neil Lennon or Steve Clarke asap before our season drifts to nothing as usual.

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Andy: How can Gray continue to keep his job? The players are not playing for him. The club is a mess. Banning the only fans that bring an atmosphere. Benching three of our best players. So confusing.

Brian: Worst backline in Scotland, midfielders trot about like headless chickens, feel sorry for strikers. Gray clueless. No plan. No tactics. Blah, blah, blah after game as usual but won’t resign. Board have to act.

SMcDhfc: David Gray has lost the team, it was obvious tonight. As an attacking force, we were shocking, lots of huffing and puffing but not one real effort on target. The players should be embarrassed after that display, but they will get the result they are after, Gray sacked.

Craig: I like Gray but believe it’s time he goes. He has one formation. It’s just not good enough. But, if he goes, Malky MacKay [director of football] should go too. His signings have been terrible.

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Thomas Tuchel: England boss regrets not eating Azteca turf after World Cup win in Mexico

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Thomas Tuchel, wearing a dark polo shirt, clenches two fists and grins in celebration

England’s victory was only the third time Mexico had tasted defeat at the stadium in 90 competitive matches.

Tuchel described it as one of the highlights of the campaign and hailed the “huge bond” within the camp, especially the reaction to Jordan Henderson’s tournament-ending injury after falling over an advertising hoarding while celebrating the Azteca success.

“This game had so much of what you could wish for,” added the German. “If you needed any proof of what it meant to these players and how they were with each other, it was the moment Jordan fell over and broke his arm.

“Within a second, the players were there. Every single player was there stopping the celebrations, building a shield, protecting Jordan, not going anywhere, in full empathy. It was so special.”

England are next in action against World Cup winners Spain on 26 September in their 2026-27 Uefa Nations League opener, with the 2028 European Championships also on Tuchel’s radar.

Confident of ending England’s wait for a first senior men’s trophy since 1966, he believed their World Cup run not only cemented his relationship with the squad – “it feels like they are my players now” – but also represented “something to build on”.

Tuchel added: “I’m very excited. I think we got another step closer and I think we’re there.”

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Northern Ireland: Eligibility rules ‘not particularly fair’ – Michael O’Neill

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Michael O'Neill and Ceadach O'Neill

Under the Good Friday Agreement – the 1998 peace accord that followed the conflict colloquially known as The Troubles – those born in Northern Ireland can hold both British and Irish passports.

A Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling in 2010 means players born anywhere on the island of Ireland are able to represent the Republic of Ireland regardless of whether they fulfil any other measure of eligibility, namely being born in the territory, having a biological mother, father, grandmother or grandfather born in the territory, or having lived there for an uninterrupted period of five years.

Players born in the Republic of Ireland, however, cannot represent Northern Ireland unless they are otherwise eligible.

“We exploit eligibility, the same as every other country does, down to the grandparent rule, but this is a rule which is obviously unique between ourselves and the FAI [Football Association of Ireland],” said O’Neill.

“I think everyone recognises it’s not particularly fair, but as I say, our focus is to make sure our pathway for our young players is as good as possible and that’s a pathway for boys from any part of the community.”

In May, FAI director of football John Martin said the organisation should at “the bare minimum” be sounding out eligible players.

“We know there are kids out there who want to play for Ireland who haven’t been approached in the past,” said Martin.

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“That’s not right. It’s making sure we have a presence and we understand all the players available to us, and that they are being monitored and tracked.”

When asked whether the narrative around young players in or around his squad is tiresome to him, O’Neill said: “It would have been in the past, it’s not tiresome now.

“We have people who comment on this and talk about nationality and talk about identity and talk about all these different things, which are part of being born in Northern Ireland and growing up in Northern Ireland.

“But I think what we’re missing now is that we’re putting young players in a situation where they have to make a decision which is irreversible.”

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