Latest news with #ThalenteMbatha
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
NINE Orlando Pirates players make final Bafana squad
Orlando Pirates are strongly represented in the latest Bafana Bafana squad for friendlies in early June. Nine players are in there. Sipho Chaine, Deano van Rooyen, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe, Thalente Mbatha, Patrick Maswanganyi, Rele Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota are the nine selected. Evidence Makgopa and Tshegofatso Mabasa were in the preliminary group but didn't make the final cut. Latest Pirates transfer rumours Orlando Pirates have taken to X to say farewell to former Marumo Gallants midfielder Miguel Timm. The 33-year-old has become a bit-part player in the Bucs engine room. Thalente Mbatha and Makhehlene Makhaula are the preferred duo, while even attacking midfielder Kabelo Dlamini has been used in a more withdrawn role ahead of Timm. Orlando Pirates fans are expectant on Soweto Derby Day. Image: BackpagePix Meanwhile, Innocent Maela got a rare start as Pirates drew 1-1 with Magesi in their final Betway Premiership clash of the campaign. It was Maela's swansong appearance after which he got a standing ovation and sendoff by the home fans. Patrick Maswanganyi opened the scoring for the Buccaneers in the 7th minute, and Zimbabwean veteran Edmore Chirambare equalised for the visitors on 32 minutes. Click for Maela's stats and also his legacy Pirates to recruit former Real Madrid opposition analyst? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates transfers: Three best signings this season
Orlando Pirates looked ready to give Mamelodi Sundowns a good run for their money in the league title race this season. The Buccaneers topped the standings in the early stages of the campaign, giving their fans hope that they are contenders. They even went on to win the MTN8 to signal their intentions to conquer all but the wheels somehow fell off. But who, from the players they acquired this term, have been their best signings in no particular order? Thalente Mbatha of Orlando Pirates. Image: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix DEANO VAN ROOYEN Van Rooyen joined Pirates from Stellenbosch FC, and he found an already stiff competition at right-back. Pirates have Bandile Shandu, Thabiso Monyane and Thabiso Lebitso there but Van Rooyen made that position his, and owned it. For a new player at a big club such as Pirates to feature 34 times is impressive, and he has hardly put his foot wrong. MBEKEZELI MBOKAZI Mbokazi, 19, was only promoted from the development in 2025 but he took the PSL by storm with his sold defensive work. 'TLB', as Mbokazi is affectionately known, brilliantly filled the void left by the injured Thabiso Sesane in that central defence of Pirates. Interestingly, he is benching senior players such as Tapelo Xoki, Innocent Maela and Olisa Ndah. He's played 17 games for Bucs. MOHAU NKOTA The young speedy attacker joined the Pirates senior team at the start of the season, and he has been a menace to opposition defenders. Nkota has been Pirates' go-to-guy on the right-hand side of the attack since the fall of Monnapule Saleng. At 20, Nkota has featured in 37 competitive matches. He has seven goals and five assists to his name. NB: A special mention to Thalente Mbatha who first joined Pirates on loan before signing a permanent contract at the start of the season as one of their new signings. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mbatha vs Cele: KwaMashu's Finest Set for Nedbank Cup Showdown at Moses Mabhida Stadium
KWAMASHU'S finest Thalente Mbatha of Orlando Pirates and Thabo Cele of Kaizer Chiefs to master the midfielder behind the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng and Gaston Sirino in the Nedbank Cup final. | ACM Image: ACM Thalente Mbatha and Thabo Cele, both sons of KwaMashu, will go head-to-head when Orlando Pirates take on Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Kick-off is set for 3.30pm on Saturday. While the clash marks a major football occasion for the country, for the Durban township of KwaMashu, it's a moment of pride as the current two of its most talented exports meet on the grandest stage in South African football. Mbatha, who has quickly become a midfield mainstay for Pirates since joining from SuperSport United last season, acknowledged the magnitude of the moment, though he downplayed the idea of a personal duel. 'It's something that's really special for people that are coming from KwaMashu and the community,' said Mbatha. 'I wouldn't say it's really a battle because for us it's to inspire the people that are coming from the community of KwaMashu, that it's possible, black child. So I believe as Orlando Pirates we have prepared well and we have the right mentality.' Both players are expected to play key roles in Saturday's clash — Mbatha for his ability to dictate play and Cele for his energy and work rate in the Chiefs midfield. Cele, 28, arrived at the Glamours Boys in the January transfer window but has quickly become one of the most integral components of the side. He is an ever present figure with leadership qualities that have been immediately felt at the Soweto giants. Mbatha, who could collect his third trophy with Pirates in just over a year, made it clear that his focus remains on the collective. 'I'm not going out alone there, we as Pirates are a family and winning the cup will be something that's dear to us.' The 25-year-old's rise under coach Jose Riveiro has not gone unnoticed. He has since broken into the Bafana Bafana setup, scoring two goals in his first six appearances. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele and Thalente Mbatha in action in the Soweto Derby at the FNB Stadium. Image: Khabba Cup
The South African
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Have Orlando Pirates finally found 'the new Jali'?
Orlando Pirates need a long-term succession plan with their current midfield generals starting to get a little long in the tooth. According to Soccer Laduma, the acquisition of 24-year-old midfield general Masindi Nemtajela is a top priority for the Pirates board. 'It's believed that now the club has offered him a three-year deal,' the report said. 'They are looking at improving the squad mainly in the midfield because they will be apparently looking at releasing some of the current midfielders, so Masindi is one of those players, hence the three-year contract they have offered him,' the source told Soccer Laduma . The Sea Robbers will be without influential duo Nkosinathi Sibisi and Thalente Mbatha for their trip to Golden Arrows. There's no margin for error in the title race, with Jose Riveiro's side 12 points adrift of leaders Sundowns, but they do have two games in hand. Click for the story Thalente Mbatha of Orlando Pirates warms up during the Betway Premiership 2024/25 match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium, in Johannesburg on 1 February 2025. ImGE: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix Is Nemtajela the right profile for Pirates? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Key Orlando Pirates duo suspended
Orlando Pirates are still buzzing after their win over Kaizer Chiefs. However, two stars will miss their trip to Golden Arrows. After an accumulation of cards, Bucs duo Nkosinathi Sibisi and Thalente Mbatha will play no part in the club's clash with Golden Arrows. The match is scheduled for 19:30 on Tuesday, 06 May. 18-year-old Thabo Mphaki, on loan at Wits, is nicknamed 'Nasri' for his flair that's reminiscent of former Arsenal and France playmaker Samir Nasri. This is according to Soccer Laduma. The exciting teenager came through the ranks at Kaizer Chiefs. Click for the story Simphiwe Selepe, Cemran Dansin and 17-year-old Sibusiso Tau are all in training with the senior Sea Robbers squad. Dansin captains the Bucs' reserve side. Teenager Tau recently arrived from Emalahleni United in Mpumalanga. Benni McCarthy started his coaching journey at Sint-Truiden, where he was the Belgian club's assistant manager from 2015 to 2016. He then presided over 89 matches at Cape Town City as their head coach, winning the MTN9 in 2018-2019. His next head coach role was with AmaZulu, a club he guided to the Caf Champions League for the first time in their history. All of those roles preceded arguably his most glamorous position to date: first-team attacking coach at Manchester United. With the 2023-2024 FA Cup now in his cabinet, Benni's tasted success in the dugout on two occasions and will want more of that feeling. Mr McCarthy is now the head coach of Kenya's Harambee Stars. Click for the story Will Pirates claim three points against Arrows? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
