Midfielder Thalente Mbatha has opened up candidly on how being an Orlando Player has affected his personal life.
The 25-year-old joined the Soweto giants in January 2024, initially on loan from SuperSport United and had an immediate impact. Mbatha was crucial in the Buccaneers' Nedbank Cup triumphs and established himself as a starter in the Pirates' midfield.
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It was surprising then when he was called up to the national team, and he wanted no time there as well, scoring on his debut to help salvage a draw against Uganda in the AFCON qualifiers.
Reflecting on his one-and-a-half-season stint at Pirates, the dynamic midfielder said his life turned upside down.
"A lot of aspects have changed in my life. Now it is difficult to do something in private, even if you are in public," Mbatha told journalists at the premiere of
"It's Friday, it's outrageous outside, where I can blast myself with a laugh at the mall.
"It's something where people tend to say anything about you, for example, I could have a misunderstanding with someone at a store, then it's going to turn out as me being wrong or me being rude because of the person I am."
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"So yes, playing for Orlando Pirates really changed my life, but it also changed in a positive way because I got my first international team call-up.
"I was able to be seen outside [outside of the country], so it comes with both disadvantages and advantages.
"So, for me, I believe I should continue focusing on the advantage side and be able to continue doing the work."
