Thalente Mbatha plays down Orlando Pirates’ favourites status before MTN8 final

Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha has rejected the idea that his side are favourites to beat Mamelodi Sundowns in Saturday’s MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium (6pm).

Pirates have won the previous four MTN8 finals, leading many to view them as the team to beat. Mbatha, however, believes past success will have no bearing on the latest meeting and says the players must rely on their work rather than their record.

“It’s a new game, and what happened in the past won’t count for anything. We have worked for everything that we have achieved, and there was no luck in us winning the previous finals, but we are not thinking about that,” Mbatha said.

“I believe that it’s only the hard work that’s going to help us win this one. We are going to play this final to win it; that’s it.”

The 26-year-old, who comes from KwaMashu in Durban, said Orlando Pirates would not be unsettled by facing Mamelodi Sundowns in another final.

Mbatha said the expectation that comes with representing Pirates was already enough pressure, regardless of the opposition.

“We are Orlando Pirates; we are a big institution, so there’s always pressure when you play these types of games. And we don’t tend to focus on the opponents too much because, as I said, we are a big institution,” he said.

“So, playing for Orlando Pirates is pressure on its own. For us it’s to continue working hard.”

Mbatha has only played once this season after recovering from a medium-term knee injury. His sole appearance came in the MTN8 quarter-final against Durban City in August, when he completed the match.

The midfielder credited Orlando Pirates’ medical department for helping him return to full fitness, while stressing that his rehabilitation remains an ongoing process.

“It’s a difficult situation, and it’s a difficult journey, but I believe that the support that I got from the medical team really helped me. And it’s something that’s really continuing because it’s a day-to-day thing,” Mbatha said.

“You have to continue strengthening; you have to continue training, so I believe that by pushing hard you’ll be able to come back.”

Although Mbatha has returned to the squad, he is not guaranteed a place in the starting line-up for the final. Thapelo Mokobodi and Mthetheleli Mthiyane have performed well in the centre of the field during his injury-enforced absence.

Mbatha, who has represented Bafana, said continued hard work would be essential as Pirates pursue a fifth successive MTN8 final victory.