Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha enjoyed a dream international debut on Friday when he got on the scoresheet in South Africa’s 2-2 draw against Uganda. The 24-year-old was introduced inside the final 10 minutes by coach Hugo Broos as Bafana Bafana got their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers underway at Orlando Stadium.
After the home side led throughout the first half through Lyle Foster’s 14th minute strike, the match situation had changed drastically when Mbatha entered the fray with the East Africans striking twice in quick succession early in the second period. He was one of two Bucs players to feature in the all-important fixture along with Relebohile Mofokeng, who was brought on in the 72nd minute.
The duo was instrumental in shifting the momentum back in Bafana’s favour in a desperate attempt to salvage a point.
It was Mbatha who provided the decisive touch with seconds left on the clock as he struck from the edge of the penalty area with a left-footed shot that left goalkeeper Ismail Watenga motionless between the sticks. Describing his mindstate ahead of his dramatic cameo, the midfielder said he had to brush off some nerves ahead of his big moment.
“At first I was kinda nervous but I had told myself that I must try by all means to play my game and be myself,” he told orlandopiratesfc.com. “As the coach said that we are in the team because we deserve it from our performances in the league, and we should work harder now that we are there.”
The dream international debut was another career high for Mbatha, who has enjoyed a string of exciting moments in the past year. He revealed that he was grateful to have been afforded the opportunity.
“I want to thank God Almighty, because if it wasn’t for him I wasn’t gonna get the opportunity and I’m really proud and happy for myself and hope that more are coming,” Mbatha said.
Mbatha and Mofokeng will be eyeing more minutes as Bafana travel to South Sudan for their next AFCON qualifier, along with Sipho Chaine, Nkosinathi Sibisi, and Patrick Maswanganyi.
Meanwhile, more Buccaneers could be in action this evening with Deon Hotto part of the Namibia squad facing Cameroon in Garoua, while Olisa Ndah could feature for Nigeria when they host Benin in Uyo.
