Thalente Mbatha

Thalente Wandile Mbatha (born 6 March 2000) is a South African soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier Soccer League side Orlando Pirates and the South Africa national team. Quotes It’s a dream come true for me to be here I would like to thank God Almighty. The one thing I can say is hard work beats talent. If you work hard, it is going to pay off. You might have the talent but if you don’t work hard some things will lack here and there. But if you match talent with hard work, then I believe that you are going to get somewhere I feel like I was lacking a bit of enthusiasm. That’s what he (Hunt) said to me, (that) and to press more Playing in the Champions League has helped me a lot, especially getting to experience another level of football. The Champions League is not an easy level to play at, So, I think that it is something that is going to help me going forward, getting the experience and learning more about the soccer industry I just got a contract at Pirates, so I think everything I’m doing, I’m doing it for Pirates, and they are the ones that will decide what will happen in the near future, Thalente Mbatha wants to live up to his name, September 2025, IOL, by Mihlali Baleka I didn’t have doubts about the talent that I have, That’s why I could say that coming here, I told myself it’s a move where I must show I have the qualities of playing in the PSL. So, I am not a person who seeks attention because you wouldn’t see ... But yes, (not playing) did influence my game. But I believe the reason I was able to excel is because we had enough time to prepare as a team I believe playing friendly games and the coach believing in me gave me confidence of bouncing back in a certain way. So, I’d like to thank Orlando Pirates and the technical team. I’d like to thank the coach specifically because he’s one person who’s always talking to me, and telling me what I must improve on He’s been a big brother to me since I came to Joburg. He used to give me lifts when I didn’t have a car. The relationship is great and amazing. Thalente living out his talent at Pirates, September 2025,IOL by Mihlali Baleka It’s a year where everything can happen in a blink of an eye or go down. So, I believe that I should continue to stay focused and work hard. We play a sport that has a short span, so I believe that if you take care of yourself, then I will be able to do the right things and achieve whatever it’s about continuing working hard, and who knows what will happen? As you know, I think of this as another stepping stone - I am still young and able to showcase my talent. New coach Abdeslam Ouaddou leads Orlando Pirates as Thalente Mbatha sets personal targets, September 2025, IOL by Mihlali Baleka External links Category:Soccer players from South Africa Category:Living people Category:2000 births