Orlando Pirates: Thalente Mbatha is preparing to be ready for the match against Mamelodi Sundowns!

There's a real chance Orlando Pirates will have Thalente Mbatha back in the fold just in time for their blockbuster MTN8 showdown with Mamelodi Sundowns next month.

The 26-year-old midfielder has been stuck on the sidelines since August, laid low by a knee problem that kept him out of the vast majority of the Buccaneers' fixtures at the dawn of the 2026/27 campaign.

And yet, life without him has hardly been a struggle. Even with their influential playmaker watching from afar, Pirates have kept the results coming, coming out on top in most of their outings.

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Orlando Pirates welcome back players returning from injury

Come 10 October, when Pirates square off against Sundowns in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium, there's a chance both men could be in the mix — as long as they can prove they're fully match-fit by then.

In an official statement, the club confirmed the encouraging news: "After sitting out the early part of the 2026/27 campaign, Bafana Bafana internationals Evidence Makgopa and Thalente Mbatha have rejoined full-team training, having recovered from their respective injuries.

Mbatha's problem was a knee issue that has kept him out since 10 August 2026, while Makgopa has been undergoing treatment for patellar tendinitis since 5 August 2026.

The statement added that both players have also turned out in friendly fixtures as they work their way back toward peak condition.

For Pirates, getting Mbatha back would be a massive lift — few players matter more to their midfield. Word has it that since last season, the Buccaneers have never once tasted defeat in a match the midfielder has started, a stat that says everything about the influence he's wielded since cementing his place in the side.

His engine, his knack for winning the ball and his tenacious tackling bring balance to the centre of the park, while his relentless work rate lets Pirates keep the intensity high whether they have the ball or not.

With a huge final against Sundowns looming, the Buccaneers will be crossing their fingers that Mbatha can finish his recovery in time to play a part in their hunt for the MTN8 crown.

Hazem Mlhem |

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Hazem Mlhem est un rédacteur sportif expérimenté, animé par une passion pour le football africain.