Good news for Orlando Pirates: Mbatha fit for MTN8 final

Orlando Pirates could welcome the return of Thalente Mbatha on Saturday when they meet in the MTN8 final.

The 26-year-old midfielder hasn’t played a match since August and he will be eager to return to the field.

Mbatha has played a key role for the Buccaneers last season as they won a treble. In the matches he played, the team has never lost and his coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will be looking at the start ahead of Saturday’s anticipated final.

Mbatha could play a big role for Pirates in the final

The Pirates star however, is not bothered by the stats.

“I’ve seen the pictures and everything, but as I said, for me, my job is to do my job with the Pirates. So, I don’t go around looking for that if the team doesn’t lose or anything, because football is about three dimensions.

“You win, you draw, you lose. So for me, it’s a matter of doing my job, and if the team continues winning, that means I’m part of the person that’s doing my job,” he told The Citizen.

In Mbatha’s absence, Ouaddou managed to get the better out of Thapelo Mokobodi and Mthetheli Mthiyane, who signed for Pirates this season.

The Bafana midfielder admitted it has been a difficult journey sitting from the stands with injury.

“It’s a difficult situation, and it’s a difficult journey, but I believe that the team and the support that I got from the medical team really helped me,” Mbatha explained.

“Coming from an injury is something that’s not really easy; sometimes you fear putting weight on the leg because it’s a difficult situation, and it tells on you mentally.

“So, I believe the preparation games help us a lot in getting that match fitness,” he added.

It remains to be seen if Mbatha will start for Pirates on Saturday.