Mbatha Talks Of Cele-KwaMashu Rivalry In The Soweto Derby
Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha opens up about his close relationship with homeboy Thabo Cele while acknowledging the potential impact of young players in the upcoming Soweto Derby.
Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs recently announced the long-lasting signing of 28-year-old midfielder Thabo Cele who signed for the Glamour Boys as a free agent, returning to South Africa after partying ways with Russian club, Fake Voronezh.
Both hailing from the Durban township of KwaMashu, in the G section, the two midfielders, Mbatha and Cele, have maintained a lengthy football relationship and now play for the two biggest clubs in South Africa.
With the upcoming Soweto Derby looming closer, the former SuperSport United player confirmed that the KwaMashu G section will be divided into two – as Cele and himself are set to turn from childhood foes to fierce rivals on opposing ends of a historic encounter.
“I could say that it’s already divided because I can see the statuses of people. It was already divided back then because people used to support my area – Area Four so – but I believe it is a healthy challenge. It is a healthy environment where we believe also that we can conquer as an area and he also believes that they can conquer as an area,” said Mbatha.
The Bafana Bafana star expanded on the type of relationship maintained between Cele and himself revealing, “I believe that even though we do not talk every day we do talk on WhatsApp, we do call each other, video call. Whenever a person is going through the most I could say because there was a time when he was also not playing on his team and he used to push me because you are already here, don’t leave it, grab it with both hands because I know the feeling of not playing.”
The two Soweto clubs approach Saturday’s derby with the youngest players in each group having proved to be the most key components in their attacking fronts.
With 19 G\A in 26 games this season, Pirate’s 20-year-old Relebohile Mofokeng hit the ground running since his graduation to the first team and has since proved to be a revelation not only the Buccaneers but South African football at large having been labeled as one of the best young talents to ever grace the PSL stage.
On the other end of Soweto is Mduduzi Shabala (20), one of the Chiefs academy graduates who has consistently picked up the phone every time the club needed a savior, scoring critical goals and saving the team from potential defeats and draws.
The 24-year-old Pirates number eight maintained his praise for young players in South Africa’s topflight, mentioning their impact in CAF continental football, particularly from his club in the Champions League.
“For me, I believe that youngsters have the quality to play in the PSL, I think they have proved themselves more than enough as you can see that they are dominating in the CAF Champions League which I believe is a big stage for PSL teams,” he said.
He further specified asserting, “To find Rele scoring two goals back to back and Nkota scoring in his first CAF game. It shows us that these youngsters are more determined and they have passion and for them, it’s about being given a chance of proving themselves and they did.”
Despite Mbatha’s expectations, it remains unclear whether his homeboy, Cele will be available for South Africa’s biggest football stage as he joined this week, however, what remains undoubtful is the representation of South Africa’s young talent as they grace a sold-out FNB Stadium.
