The big day is almost here. It’s Mamelodi Sundowns hosting Orlando Pirates in the 2024 Nedbank Cup final.
Orlando Pirates are set to make a final decision on the future of Thalente Mbatha next week. For now, his focus on the Nedbank Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
ORLANDO PIRATES STAR THALENTE MBATHA PREVIEWS THE NEDBANK CUP FINAL
According to the 24-year-old from kwaMashu, Durban, his ambition is to improve his own football and also help the team towards cup success.
“In all honesty, I think I’ve been building towards my game but I wouldn’t say it’s enough for the team because we need to get cup finals,” the Orlando Pirates midfielder said via SABC Sport.
“We need to win awards, we are competing for the league. So, I feel like we should do more as a team and as myself, I should also do more so I can help the team into getting more awards and competing for the league,” Mbatha added.
TSHEGOFATSO MABASA WINS DSTV PREMIERSHIP TOP GOALSCORER AWARD
Orlando Pirates supporters are immensly proud to call Tshegofatso Mabasa one of their own. The 27-year-old striker has won the DStv Premiership top goalscorer gong.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ Brazilian Lucas Costa Ribeiro once looked unchallanged but Stellenbosch FC‘s Iqraam Rayners and Orlando Pirates’ Mabasa had other plans. Saturday’s final day of the season witnessed the Botshabelo-born striker score against SuperSport United to win the golden boot.
Tshegofatso Mabasa, Orlando Pirates – 16 goals
Iqraam Rayners, Stellenbosch FC – 15 goals
Lucas Ribeiro, Mamelodi Sundowns – 12 goals
Bradley Grobler, SuperSport Untied – 11 goals
Khanyisa Mayo, Cape Town City – 10 goals
Peter Shalulile, Mamelodi Sundowns – 9 goals
Siphiwe Mahlangu, TS Galaxy – 8 goals
Chibuike Ohizu, Sekhukhune United – 8 goals
Samir Nurkovic, TS Galaxy – 8 goals
Devin Titus, Stellenbosch FC – 7 goals.
How would winning the cup feel like?
“I could say that it’s gonna be a dream come true as I said earlier on when I had an interview with you guys,” Mbatha who is at Orlando Pirates on loan from SuperSport United with an option to extend.
“So, playing the cup final is something big for me, for my family, for the fans and everything. It’s something that I’ve been wishing for ever since I got into this team,” the former Highlands Park star added.
“So, I think it’s me living a dream that I had when I was young. Playing the cup final makes everyone nervous because we are playing a team that’s also been to cup finals, they have an experience of how the pressure is and everything. So, I think if we prepare ourselves well and play our game, we’ll be able to get the result and win the cup final,” the Orlando Pirates central midfielder concluded.
