Orlando Pirates News Today: Mbatha, Bucs’ charm? MTN8 final prediction, club urged to step up, & more…

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Orlando Pirates News Today: Mbatha, Bucs’ charm? MTN8 final prediction, club urged to step up, & more…

The latest Orlando Pirates News in the last 24 hours, including Thalente Mbatha responding to being the club’s charm, the Sea Robbers urged to deliver in MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns, and more.

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Mbatha reminds teammates about mandate

Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha has reminded his teammates of the responsibility that comes with representing the club ahead of the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mbatha has become a popular figure amongst the Buccaneers faithful since establishing himself at the club, with his performances earning him plenty of praise from supporters.

Pirates will face Masandawana in the MTN8 final on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium at 18:00.

The Sea Robbers will be looking to make it five consecutive MTN8 titles and deliver more silverware for their supporters in one of the biggest fixtures of the early season.

With the occasion expected to bring added pressure, Mbatha believes every player selected has a responsibility to rise to it.

“I believe that supporters are people that love the club. I believe that they love every player around that plays for Pirates, it’s not only me,” Mbatha explained to the media.

“For every player that plays for Pirates, they must remember that they are playing for a big institution and they have got a job to do. So the pressure is on all of us, it’s not only on me and whoever gets the opportunity to play that game, I believe that they are going to do best.”

For Mbatha and his teammates, the MTN8 final represents another opportunity to repay the faith of the Pirates faithful when it matters most.

Mahlangu opens up about MTN8 final

Former Orlando Pirates star Albert ‘Bashin’ Mahlangu claims this Saturday’s MTN8 final is tough to predict.

“Though I played for both teams, but Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate. I still remember how we used to beat Sundowns during my time,” he told KickOff.

“If the coach can start with [Thalente] Mbatha or with [Makhehlene] Makhaula in the middle, we are going to talk a different story. The likes of [Marcelo] Allende and Teboho Mokoena will do as they please if we field only youngsters in our midfield.

“Some games don’t need match fitness, they automatically motivate a player. This is one game even I am struggling to predict. I don’t think there is anyone who knows how is this game going to turn out.

“I am nervous, but just a little bit,” adds Mahlangu, before pointing to the Tshwane giants’ weaknesses that Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men could look to exploit.

“Sundowns’ backline is very slow. With Khuliso Mudau not present, it will be even slower. Did you see how they struggled to contain the Golden Arrows striker, Junior Dion?

“And us Pirates, we have more than five Junior Dions in our attacking players.

“This is going to be one difficult final since Sundowns are still feeling the pain of losing to us in Mbombela. This is one game where chancers are not needed. This one’s not for beginners. It’s difficult to predict this game.”

Mbatha, Pirates’ ‘Lucky Charm?’

Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha has answered questions over social media buzz tagging him as the Buccaneers’ “lucky charm” ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns.

“I’ve seen the pictures and everything, but as I said, for me, my job is to do my job with the Pirates,” Mbatha said in a presser.

“So, I don’t go around looking for that if the team doesn’t lose or anything, because football is about three dimensions. You win, you draw, you lose.

“So for me, it’s a matter of doing my job, and if the team continues winning, that means I’m part of the person that’s doing my job,” he added.

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Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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