Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why Thalente Mbatha did not feature in the team’s 3-0 win over TS Galaxy on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Boitumelo Radiopane, Tshepang Moremi and Simphiwe Masilela gave the Buccaneers all three points at the Orlando Amstel Arena.
Mbatha, who missed almost two months of Pirates matches due to injury, returned to the team this past weekend against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final.
Speaking to the media after the Galaxy match, Ouaddou explained why the Bafana Bafana star missed out.
“Yes, about Mbatha. You know when he came back from the national team, he had a surgery. And we did everything to bring him back in terms of rehabilitation. And I think it was a surprise for you to see him in the MTN8 Final. And I was so amazed about his performance in the final. It has been a long time that I didn’t see such a quality of Mbatha. High level, high level,” Ouaddou said.
Mbatha to be rotated by Pirates
Ouaddou explained that the team won’t rush Mbatha as he is still not where he wants him to be fitness wise.
“So, we don’t want to take risks with Mbatha. He’s an important player for us. So, we played two days after (the MTN8 Final) and we don’t want to take any risks,” he explained.
Last season, Pirates did not lose any match which Mbatha started, however, that streak ended in the MTN8 final loss to Sundowns.