After securing a surprise loan move to Orlando Pirates, young midfielder Thalente Mbatha has outlined his ambition to remain with the Sea Robbers beyond the current Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign.
Mbatha is one of the players signed by the Soweto giants during the January transfer window, to reinforce the Buccaneers squad in the battle for second position in the DStv Premiership alongside Nedbank Cup glory.
Pirates’ runners-up fight continues when they host a rejuvenated Cape Town Spurs in a league encounter at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday (7.30 pm).
The 23-year-old central midfielder joined from SuperSport United where he had surprisingly fallen out of favour in recent years.
Mbatha signed a loan deal until the end of the season with an option to make the move permanent.
“It was like a dream come true, I didn’t believe it at first until they (Pirates representatives) called again,” Mbatha told the media during the club open media day ahead of the battle with Spurs.
“I didn’t answer their second call until I was home because I wanted to make sure that I was with my mother.
“She was like, ‘Are you sure this is Orlando Pirates? Are you sure?’ And I said ‘Yes, I’m sure.’ It’s a dream come true to play for Pirates.”
Thalente Mbatha on how he learned out about his loan move to Orlando Pirates. pic.twitter.com/MLxwImgXWM
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) March 4, 2024
Though he has made just two appearances, things are looking positive for the player who has impressed in the Nedbank Cup victory against minnows Crystal Palace.
He also gave a solid performance in the Premiership 1-0 win over Polokwane City at the weekend.
The player hopes that the move to the Jose Riveiro-coached team can finally help him take his career to the next level.
“I’m hoping to get as much game time as I can because I feel I will be a better player if I play more and it will boost my confidence,” he said.
“I hope to make the deal permanent.
“Pirates is a big institution with a lot of history, something that you should respect,” Mbatha said.
“I feel like I came here as a person who wants to learn because I’m still young. The people who are playing in the same position as me are very old, experienced and have been in the game for too long.
“So, I told myself that (even) if I don’t change my style of play, as long as I learn something from them because they’ve been in the team for long and they’ve lasted, I could mix the two and there’s probably something I will get out.”
Pirates are currently in fourth place in the league with 29 points after 18 matches.
They are 13 points behind top-of-the-table Mamelodi Sundowns and two behind Cape Town City and SuperSport United.
Spurs, who claimed a shocking win against Pirates in the first half of the season, are fighting for their survival.
They are at the foot of the log table with 10 points, with only three points between them and Richards Bay FC.
Orlando Pirates coach Jośe Riveiro says their focus is on Cape Town Spurs and not Soweto Derby. pic.twitter.com/mKLomDpR3Z
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) March 4, 2024
