Orlando Pirates’ Thalente Mbatha has caught the eye of Junior Khanye, the former Kaizer Chiefs winger famous for his frank views.
Mbatha ran the show in Bafana Bafana’s 3-0 win over Lesotho at Free State Stadium last Friday. The 24-year-old midfielder from KwaMashu played 90 minutes, earning his sixth cap since making his international debut in September 2024 against Uganda.
Khanye didn’t hold back in his praise. Speaking on iDiskiTV, he said Mbatha’s energy, positioning, and box-to-box style reminded him of retired Brazilian star Paulinho, the same man who once dazzled for FC Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur.
ORLANDO PIRATES MAESTRO THALENTE MBATHA DELIGHTS JUNIOR KHANYE
“Can I please complement this boy Thalente Mbatha, that boy has improved,” Khanye said on iDiskiTV.
“That boy looks lively, he avails himself, box-to-box, he masters that position,” Khanye added on the Orlando Pirates magician. “He reminds me of Paulinho, the Brazilian. He was good with box-to-box [midfield role]. That’s why they hit us with 5-0 [in a friendly match].
“The Brazilians play like us, I’m a fan of that type of football. There’s no hitting the ball in the air. They are skilful like us, technically very good and hardly play with tall players.”
Meanwhile, Mbatha, formely with Highlands Park and SuperSport United, is expected to start as Bafana Bafana host Nigeria at the Free State Stadium this evening at 18:00.
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