Orlando Pirates gear up for two fixtures this week and an update has been given on one of their stars.
Pirates will face both Golden Arrows and Chippa United as they look to get back to league winning ways.
On the weekend, Pirates cruised to a 3-0 win in the Nedbank Cup last round of 16 clash against Baroka FC. But their last league game was a 4-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld. In that game they played without Thalente Mbatha and saw Kabelo Dlamini play a deeper role with Makhehleni Makhaula. This was due to an injury that the Bafana Bafana midfielder picked up in a 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United.
Mbatha to return for Pirates?
It was even thought that the injury would be a season-ending blow for Mbatha and he also missed the Baroka fixture. Now according to Soccer-Laduma, he could actually be back to help Pirates for their double header!
“He (Mbatha) is available, and he has been training with the rest of the team (Pirates). He has recovered and is available for selection. Whatever else you read on social media about the player, which has nothing to do with his injury, is untrue. He missed those games (against Sundowns and Baroka) because he was injured, and that’s all,” said the source.
No discipline issues
The source could be referring to two separate incidents that Mbatha has allegedly been embroiled in. A supposed confrontation with Pirates Jose Riveiro after being substituted against Richards Bay FC in the Nedbank Cup last round of 32. The second could be a new rumours doing the rounds on social media claimed the lanky star is ill disciplined. It was said by an account on ‘X’ that the player rocked up at training hangover. However, there is no confirmation nor evidence of that.
Pirates fans, would you be happy to see Mbatha back alongside Makhaula this week? Feel free to leave your thoughts and feelings in the comments below.
