Mbatha reveals details of a ‘confusing’ call from Pirates

New Orlando Pirates signing Thalente Mbatha has revealed that he was left confused when he received a call from Bucs that they were interested in his services.

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Pirates signed the 23-year-old midfielder on a six-month loan deal from SuperSport United in the January transfer window, with an option to extend his stay.

Mbatha says the moment he got the call he immediately told his mother that he had to drive to Johannesburg . He he has since made two consecutive starts for the Sea Robbers – first against Crystal Lake FC in the Nedbank Cup and in the team’s last game against Polokwane City in a DStv Premiership, which they won 6-0 and 1-0 respectively.

“I was at home (KZN) driving when I received a call from Orlando Pirates telling me that they wanted my services,” Mbatha told the media during the team’s press-conference at the Rand Stadium on Monday.

“At that moment, I was confused and didn’t know what that meant. I went straight to tell my mother that I had to travel to Johannesburg the following day and that is how the whole move happened.”

‘A dream come true’

While still in shock after getting a call from Pirates, Mbatha adds that he had to wait until he was next to his mother for the next call from the club and says playing for the Soweto giants is a dream come true for him.

“It was a dream come true to sign for the Pirates because I didn’t believe it at first until they called again. On the second call, I didn’t answer until I was next to my mother,” he continued.

Having made two starts for the club, the midfielder is eager to get more game time at the Buccaneers and wants to make his stay permanent.

“I hope to get as much game time as possible because I will be a better player with game time and build my confidence. But I hope to make the deal permanent because Pirates is a big institution.”

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Mbatha has a chance to fight for more game time when Pirates host Cape Town Spurs at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.