Orlando Pirates' MTN8 victory over SuperSport United came with Monnapule Saleng taking home the Man of the Match award, but there was another player earning his marks in midfield.
His name – Thalente Mbatha.
He put in a shift that lasted 114 minutes, before he was replaced with the game wrapped up.
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The 24-year-old was firm in partnering Makhehlene Makhaula through that central midfield base, which then provided the trio of Saleng, Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick Maswanganyi the freedom to focus on the accelerator in supporting top man Tshegofatso Mabasa.
Always available to play from the backline was what Mbatha did, just like how he stood up when the team needed an enforcer minus the ball, especially when Matsatsantsa sought to use the ball at pace.
Why Pirates sought a loan move from SuperSport in January is now evident as Mbatha continues to give answers plugging that role, which is rarely celebrated yet always key.
It was rather strange to some that Bucs were convinced about a midfielder who wasn't playing regularly for SuperSport, where he had only played 197 minutes in the first half of last season.
Upon arrival at Pirates, his minutes ballooned to over 1155 minutes within six months, playing from start to finish in 11 matches.
At SuperSport, he only ever got to play from start to finish thrice in three years.
With Thabang Monare – who is turning 35 next month – moving to Sekhukhune, it means Pirates now have a replacement 10 years younger and capable of doing the same job on the field.
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Mbatha came through from the amateur ranks in KwaZulu-Natal and got his break at Highlands Park under Owen Da Gama, who identified him from the club's DStv Diski Challenge team.
From there, it has been up the ladder and the 2024/25 season could turn out to be his best to date.