‘Thalente is our bread & ‘Mbatha’ but fraud Broos should know Pirates are better than Sundowns’

Published on by Willis Sob

For the second time in as many games, Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha struck in stoppages to help Bafana Bafana get vital points.

The first vital goal was on Friday when he scored a screamer from the edge of the box to make sure the Group K game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixture at the Orlando Stadium ended 2-2. 

The 24-year-old was at it again on Tuesday against South Sudan at Juba Stadium. With the game tied 2-2, the Buccaneers player received the ball in almost a similar position. He controlled it well before sending the ball past the defenders and into the back of the net.

South Africa and Uganda are now on four points, one more than Congo, while the Bright Stars have no points from the matches they have played in their pool. Have a look at how the fans reacted to Mbatha's heroics and Broos’ decisions.

‘Bread & Mbatha made it look easy'

He gave us a point against Uganda and now three against South Sudan. Give Thalente his flowers, he's our bread and ‘Mbatha' – Sam Mandela

Mbatha's awareness is top-tier! To perfectly place yourself in a favorable position twice, and capping it off by scoring two injury-time stunners in two consecutive games requires genius football brains.  Thalente Mbatha, living up to his name –   Mpendulo Sithole

Well done boys! Thalente Mbatha is such a quality player. Bafana Bafana is a great team and they just need more support and more of us as South Africans to believe in them. We are a winning nation, a bunch of winners – Leon

Thalente Mbatha is a marvel to watch. It takes nerves of steel to do such on the trot – Thabo Mothibi 

The way he made it look so easy. We're going to go far as a country with this boy. He could be what we were missing all along. I just hope he's going to become consistent. Thalente Mbatha Bafana Bafana – Kasteezy

‘Arrogant Broos is a fraud'

Bafana Bafana move up two spots in latest FIFA rankings
Hugo Broos coach of Bafana Bafana

Hugo Broos is a fraud, well done Bafana Bafana players – Thabiso

Taking nothing away from both games, positive and negative. It has to be said that Hugo Broos is cooking with this crop of young players. He's brought back hope to the #BafanaBafana squad. In him, we believe. We just need to fix this and that and I believe we'll conquer Africa – Lutendo

It seems like coach Hugo Broos is developing his own Bomb Squad. Congrats Bafana Bafana – Therms

This guy Is stubborn. Why the hate on Orlando Pirates players when it's clear they are more than Mamelodi Sundowns players this season? Hugo Broos is arrogant. Once again Orlando Pirates players came to bail him – Peterson Dan

Big up to coach Hugo Broos for showing confidence in Siyabonga Ngezana – Heko Foster

‘Thalente is our bread & ‘Mbatha’ but fraud Broos should know Pirates are better than Sundowns’

Willis Sob

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.