Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha says the Buccaneers have all the quality they need to beat Mamelodi Sundowns in Saturday’s MTN8 final, with a youthful squad playing a central role in the club’s momentum.
The showpiece at Moses Mabhida Stadium pits Pirates against the reigning African champions, a clash many will view as a barometer of where the Soweto side stands against the continent’s benchmark. Mbatha, however, was focused on belief and consistency rather than comparisons.
“We have enough quality to believe [we can beat Sundowns], we’re a team filled with youngsters and we believe that these youngsters are truly doing well,” Mbatha said.
Solid foundation and a return to form
Mbatha pointed to Pirates’ defensive record as evidence of a team in good shape, with the club having shipped just one goal in the league so far.
“As you can see, we have only conceded one goal in the league, and for us, it’s to continue where we left off [before the FIFA break] and continue giving the supporters what they want and continue playing our own football,” he said.
Beyond the result, Mbatha highlighted the number of young players earning regular minutes at Pirates, something he believes reflects well on the domestic game.
“It’s something that… that’s really great for us, we have probably five youngsters who are starting games, which is something really good for South African football.
“So, I believe we will continue working hard. And winning the final would mean everything to us, to bless this club with more history.”