Former Orlando Pirates coach Augusto Palacios has given the club valuable advice regarding midfielder Thalente Mbatha.
Mbatha, who is on loan from DStv Premiership side SuperSport United, joined Pirates on a short-term deal during the PSL January transfer window. His current contract with the Soweto giants is set to expire at the end of the season.
However, the Sea Robbers have the opportunity to make the attacker’s loan deal a permanent transfer.
Since arriving at Pirates, Mbatha has seen his playing time increase and been a standout performer when given the chance. In contrast, at SuperSport, he battled to crack the starting line-up, managing just five appearances this season.
Despite facing tough competition for a spot in the Pirates’ midfield, the central midfielder has carved out a niche for himself, becoming a key contributor to the team. He’s racked up 14 appearances across all competitions, scoring once and adding two assists to his tally.
AUGUSTO PALACIOS URGES PIRATES TO MAKE THALENTE MBATHA’S DEAL PERMANENT
In light of Mbatha’s impressive performances, Palacios has urged Pirates to secure the player’s services on a permanent deal after the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.
Palacios is clearly impressed by Mbatha’s development and believes he has the potential to flourish even further in the coming seasons.
“Yes, yes, absolutely, I think he should come to Orlando Pirates straight away,” Palacios told FARPost. “The boy is talented, I think he has impressed a lot from his performances.
“He’s a very good player, and he’s doing very well in his position there. He’s attacking, and he’s trying to help the team do better and improve their performances.
“He has a lot to offer the team; he’s a young player, one for the future. From what I’ve seen, he’s working very hard to make sure that he plays. When he plays, he works even harder to ensure that he impresses.”
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