Hard-running midfielder Thalente Mbatha has shared insight into his wonder strike against CR Belouizdad as Orlando Pirates secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League.
Pirates secured a ticket to the knockout stages of the CAF Champions League with an assured 2-1 win over Algerian giants CR Belouizdad at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.
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Relebohile Mofokeng and Mbatha struck on either half to put the home side firmly in the driving seat, but the visitors made sure the match had a nervy finish ending as Abdelraouf Benguit found the back of the net in added time, leaving the lanky midfielder's goal as the decider.
For those familiar with the dynamic star, it was not the first time Mbatha's extraordinary ability to shoot from range had been put to use and is now becoming somewhat of a trademark.
What is the inspiration behind it?
"I could say that my confidence is coming from players, they always tell me to take more shots," Mbatha said when asked by KickOff.com after Sunday's match.
"I could say that they really help me because even at training, I've started taking more shots. It's something I've been working on at training and now it's coming alright in the games."
He also reflected on that particular strike.
"I just knew that I would take a shot. I didn't know it would go in, but I knew that I would shoot."
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Pirates sit top of Group C after five matches and have a chance to end the group stage as log leaders if they manage to overcome Al Ahly in their last group stage encounter.
The match will be played at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday.