Ex-Pirates striker makes bold Mbuthuma prediction after career revival

Orlando Pirates striker Yanela Mbuthuma has earned praise for showing great character and returning to top form.

Mbuthuma started the season slowly and was a subject of criticism when he fluffed his lines for the Buccaneers.

He also briefly lost his place in the team to Boitumelo Radiopane as coach Abdeslam Ouaddou sought to get a tune of his attack but he has slowly returned to his best.

Since August 29 in the MTN semi-final second leg against Sekhukhune United, when Mbuthuma created two goals, he has not looked back as he went on to score twice against Kruger United in the subsequent match.

Mbuthuma lauded for major turnaround

That earned him a debut call-up to the Bafana Bafana squad, coming on as a substitute in the 2-1 win over Guinea, when he set up the winning goal for Samukele Kabini, before playing against Egypt on Sunday, having been an unused substitute during South Africa’s 5-0 thrashing of Eritrea.

Former Orlando Pirates striker Lehlohonolo Majoro is delighted by the attitude of the former Richards Bay man who now looks a striker reborn.

“It makes me very happy to see a player who was under fire being able to overcome that pressure by continuing to show what they are capable of,” Majoro told FARPost. “We, as players, have also felt that pressure before, and we know that it’s not nice.”

Ex-Pirates star backs striker to flourish

“I always say that just because a player has one bad game, it doesn’t make him a bad player. So, for him to be called up for Bafana and also create an assist in our first game of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea really makes me happy as a former striker,” he further stated.

“I believe that this might have lifted his confidence and the belief that he belongs in the national team. I hope to see him continue with the same performance he has been displaying recently.”

Mbuthuma, who has two goals and a couple of assists in 10 games this season, has a chance to add onto his tally when Pirates face off with Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final on Saturday.