Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Image: (@HollyWoodBets/Twitter)
Orlando Pirates signing couldn’t believe his ears when the club called
A dream come true.
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Image: (@HollyWoodBets/Twitter)
New Orlando Pirates signing Thalente Mbatha couldn’t believe he was joining the Sea Robbers when they first made contact.
Mbatha is on Cloud 9
23-year-old Mbatha arrived at the club on loan in January after finding game time hard to come by at SuperSport.
“I was driving home when I got the call from Orlando Pirates saying that they want my services, at that moment I was confused, I didn’t know what it meant, so I was told I was going to move to Pirates, by Pirates,” he said when asked by iDiski Times about the move.
“They said I must come to training, as they had opened and SuperSport was not open – so after receiving the call I went straight to tell my mother that I had to come to Joburg because it was short notice. They told me to come the following day, and after that – the [move] happened.”
The new man is settling in nicely
The recruit completed 90 minutes against Crystal Lake in the Nedbank Cup. He then kept his place in the side and played a further 90 in the 1-0 league win over Polokwane. The goal now for the ex-Matsatsantsa man is to earn a permanent move.
“It was a dream come true actually [when the call came], I didn’t believe it first up until they called again, the second call I didn’t answer until I was home – to make sure I’m next to my mother, so she was like are you sure this is Orlando Pirates, are you sure? I was like I’m sure, it’s a dream come true to play for Pirates,” he added.
“I’m hoping to get as much game time as I can, I’ll be a better player if I get game time, it will build my confidence more and I hope to make the deal permanent because it’s a big institution.”
Pirates face Cape Town Spurs on Wednesday at Orlando Stadium and Mbatha will be hoping to feature from the start once more.
NDAH IS ABSENT FOR ORLANDO PIRATES AGAINST SPURS
One player who won’t play any part in that clash is Nigerian central defender Olisa Ndah. He picked up his fourth booking of the campaign last time out against Polokwane City, so he’ll be suspended. Kickoff from Orlando Stadium is scheduled for 19:30.
RUMOUR MILL
In the latest gossip, Sundowns are reportedly keen on hijacking a deal for rumoured Pirates and Chiefs target Shandre Campbell. The 18-year-old winger, who’s enjoying his breakthrough season, has directly contributed to five goals in 11 DStv Prem appearances this term, the highlight being a brace and match-winning display against Orlando Pirates in December.
Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game.
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