Mbatha pinpoints what gives Pirates confidence of ending 14-year title drought – ‘It’s really helping us now’

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Mbatha pinpoints what gives Pirates confidence of ending 14-year title drought – ‘It’s really helping us now’
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Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalenthe Mbatha believes their squad depth will make all the difference as they challenge on multiple fronts this season.

Pirates have already won two trophies, the MTN8 and Carling Knockout, and sealed passage to the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 following a thumping 4-1 victory against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.

Mbatha says coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has been categorical that they must maintain the right attitude no matter the opponent and that is how they blew away the lower league opposition thanks to goals from Andre de Jong, him, Patrick Maswanganyi and Sipho Mbule.

Mbatha on importance of right attitude

“It is never easy playing these games. The coach told us it is all about attitude,” Mbatha told SABC. “We must tell ourselves that there is no easy opponent, we must continue fighting to make sure we score enough goals.”

“It is a tournament, you lose this game and you are out so for us it was a matter going through the next stage,” he added.

“We have to continue working, we lost in the final last season so it is to continue working, get to the final and possibly win it this season so it is about pushing each other here, in training and also in games.”

With a place in the Round of 16 secured, Pirates can now keep pressure in the PSL where they enjoy a three-point lead over Mamelodi Sundowns, having taken their tally to 35 points from 15 games.

What are Pirates counting on in title race?

Orlando Pirates players celebrate Sipho Mbule’s goal in the Nedbank Cup.

The Buccaneers have been on a roll this season as they look to end their 14-year wait for a league title and the midfielder is in awe of their highly talented squad which he feels will make a difference this time around.

“It [squad depth] is something that is really helping us now, as you can see [today] Makhaula didn’t play this game, he was resting and there is also an important game at the weekend,” said Mbatha, named Man of the Match on Saturday.

“For us, it is a matter of rotating the squad and believing in each and every player that is outside the field.

“I believe we have what it takes to continue winning and possibly, it is not a secret that we want to fight for the title and it is something we are really working on.”

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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