“It’s A Day-To-Day Journey”: Mbatha On Knee Injury And Mosimane’s Bafana Door
Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha has opened up about his difficult injury recovery, revealing the daily work and support from the club’s medical team that have helped him return to training.
Mbatha has been sidelined with a knee injury since 10 August, but the Buccaneers announced last week that the midfielder had returned to training as they continued their preparations for Saturday’s MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns.
The 26-year-old has already featured in two matches for Pirates this season. He played the full 90 minutes in the Betway Premiership against Milford before completing 120 minutes in the MTN8 quarter-final against Durban City. He has not featured since those two matches.
Reflecting on his recovery, Mbatha admitted that returning from the injury had been a difficult journey, while highlighting the importance of the work he has put in every day.
“It’s a difficult situation and a difficult journey, but I believe the team and the support I got from the medical team really helped me,” he said.
“It’s something that is continuing because it’s a day-to-day thing.
“You have to continue strengthening and training. I believe that by pushing hard, you’ll be able to come back.”
With Pirates preparing for a major clash against Sundowns at the weekend, Mbatha will be hoping to continue building his fitness and make himself available for selection.
Mbatha’s injury also ruled him out of Bafana Bafana’s three matches during the recent FIFA international break, but the midfielder insists that a potential return to the national team is not something he is allowing himself to focus on too much.
The former SuperSport United midfielder says the decision over a future Bafana call-up rests with head coach Pitso Mosimane, while his immediate attention remains firmly on his club.
“For me, if I’m playing for Orlando Pirates and the coach calls me for Bafana, then I’ll be there, and I’ll be available,” he added.
“But I believe it’s something that I shouldn’t focus on too much.
“My focus is on Pirates, the league and the final on Saturday.”
