Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Oupa Manyisa believes that Thalente Mbatha will be key for the side in the Betway Premiership Soweto Derby on Saturday afternoon.
Pirates head into the first derby of the season enjoying a good run in the league where they sit in second position with 27 points from 11 matches while Kaizer Chiefs are fifth with 21 points in 14 outings.
Manyisa spoke to iDiski Times writer Lethabo Kganyago in edition 189 of the newspaper and said for him, Mbatha who currently has three goals in the league, makes the team tick and if he’s on song on the day together with Makhehleni Makhaula, Pirates will win the game.
“Obviously, we are looking at Rele [Mofokeng] and [Mohau] Nkota because they are the youngsters and they have a bright future,” Manyisa told iDiski Times.
“But for me, I’ll be looking at Thalente Mbatha making the team play without forgetting [Makhehleni] Makhaula, who is bossing the midfield and making sure that he is breaking all the attacks. As long as Mbatha and Makhaula are there in the game and they are making sure that the team ticks, I think Pirates will go and win the game.
‘Ace’ also believes that the former SuperSport United man is underrated while adding that Mbatha reminds him of himself with how simple he makes football.
“Yeah, he is more underrated, but you know as fans or football lovers we look at football in a different way that’s why for me it’s simpler because I used to play in that position,” added Manyisa.
“I can see the way he plays and the way he conducts himself. He reminds me of myself, he makes things simple. You will never see him going up and down. He is always available when the team plays and when the team has to defend, he is always there as well.”
