Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha says playing for the club has changed his life in a good way while it also has its disadvantages.
Mbatha joined Pirates on loan from the now defunct SuperSport United two seasons ago before earning himself a long-term contract at the Buccaneers last season playing an integral part as they clinched the MTN8 and reached the CAF Champions League semifinals as well as the Nedbank Cup final.
The 25-year-old spoke to iDiski Times senior journalist Lorenz Köhler where he explained that he doesn’t like the fact that he can’t just be himself anymore especially in pubic however appreciates the opportunities that have come with wearing the black and white like breaking into the Bafana Bafana squad.
“Playing for Pirates has changed my life, but also in a positive way,” Mbatha told iDiski Times.
“I got my first national team call-up, I was able to be seen outside the country, and I was able to showcase my talent. So, it comes with advantages and disadvantages. But I believe I should continue focusing on the advantages and keep doing the hard work.
“It’s hard to do things in private now, it’s difficult to act outrageous, outside… where I can blast myself with laughing in a mall. It’s something that people have opinions about you now.
“I could have a misunderstanding with someone at a store, then it turns out that I am wrong, or I am being rude, because of who I am.”
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