Thalente Mbatha

Thalente Mbatha
Personal information
Full name Thalente Wandile Mbatha
Date of birth (2000-03-06) 6 March 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth KwaMashu, South Africa
Height 1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Defansive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Orlando Pirates
Number 16
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020 Highlands Park 4 (0)
2020–2024 SuperSport United 23 (0)
2024– Orlando Pirates 12 (3)
International career‡
2024– South Africa 2 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 September 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 September 2024

Thalente Wandile Mbatha (born 6 March 2000) is a South African soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier Soccer League side Orlando Pirates and the South African national team.

Mbatha scored on his international debut.[1]

Club career

SuperSport United

He played for Tshwane based side SuperSport United.[2][3]

Orlando Pirates

In January 2024, he joined Soweto based club Orlando Pirates on a 6-month contract with the option for a permanent move.[4] He played his first final in the 2023-24 Nedbank Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns. Mbatha was voted man of the match in the 2-1 win for Pirates.[5] His deal was extended for the 2024-25 PSL season.[6]

International career

Mbatha debuted for the South Africa men's national team in the 2025 Afcon qualifiers on 6 September 2024 against Uganda and scored on debut to help the side salvage a draw.[7][8]

International goals

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 6 September 2024 Orlando Stadium, Soweto, South Africa  Uganda 2–2 2–2 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2. 10 September 2024 Juba Stadium, Juba, South Sudan  South Sudan 3–2 3–2 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Honours

Orlando Pirates

References

  1. ^ Mark, Jonty (2024-09-06). "Mbatha strikes late to earn Bafana AFCON draw with Uganda". The Citizen. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  2. ^ Thalente Mbatha at Soccerway
  3. ^ Qoshe, Yolulwe (2024-03-08). "SuperSport United clarify conditions of Talent Mbatha's Orlando Pirates move". The South African. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  4. ^ "Mbatha pressing to make Orlando Pirates loan transfer from SuperSport United a permanent move | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  5. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  6. ^ "Agent confirms Mbatha stay at Pirates". SuperSport. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  7. ^ Ngidi, Njabulo. "The rise and rise of Thalente Mbatha: 'He is going to be one of the biggest talents in SA'". Sport. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  8. ^ Ntshangase, Otis (2024-09-07). "Thalente Mbatha opens up on his Bafana Bafana heroics". FARPost. Retrieved 2024-09-07.