Ouaddou explains why Mbatha was rested after MTN8 final return

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says Thalente Mbatha was omitted from Tuesday’s 3-0 Betway Premiership win over TS Galaxy as a precaution following his return from a lengthy injury layoff.

The 26-year-old midfielder played in Saturday’s MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns but was not included in the matchday squad for the fixture against the Rockets at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

Mbatha’s absence attracted attention after he had impressed in the final, despite Pirates losing 2-0 to Sundowns. His appearance in that match was a significant moment in his recovery, with the midfielder having featured in only two games earlier in the 2026/27 season.

Those appearances came in the opening league fixture against Milford FC and the MTN8 quarter-final against Durban City, both in August.

Ouaddou said Mbatha’s return to the starting line-up in the final had itself been unexpected after the player underwent surgery while away with the national team.

“About Mbatha, when he came back from the national team, he had surgery. We did everything to bring him back in terms of rehabilitation,” Ouaddou said after the victory over Galaxy.

“I think it was a surprise for you to see him in the MTN8 final, and I was so amazed by his performance in the final. It has been a long time since I saw such quality from Mbatha. High level, high level.”

The Pirates coach said the short gap between the final and Tuesday’s league match meant the club did not want to risk disrupting Mbatha’s recovery.

“So, we don’t want to take risks with Mbatha. He’s an important player for us. We played two days after the MTN8 final and we don’t want to take any risks,” he added.

Mbatha’s return came in one of the biggest fixtures on the domestic calendar, but Ouaddou and his technical team are managing his workload carefully as Pirates continue their domestic campaign alongside their CAF Champions League commitments.

The midfielder’s fitness will remain an important consideration for the Buccaneers during their busy run of matches, with the club seeking to avoid any further setback after his surgery and extended period on the sidelines.