To end rumours about the relationship between Thalente Mbatha and Jose Riveiro, the Siya crew sought to get information from inside the Orlando Pirates camp.
Following Pirates' most recent match, the 3-1 victory over Richards Bay FC in the Nedbank Cup on Sunday, social media reports suggested that there might have been a misunderstanding between Mbatha and the Bucs coach.
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Mbatha started the match and was substituted with 15 minutes to go for Kabelo Dlamini, and according to social media users, the midfielder might have not taken too kindly to being taken off.
Images of the 24-year-old KwaMashu-born player sitting on the bench and with his coach in front of him and seemingly talking to him were shared.
However, indications from sources close to the Bucs camp are that all is well and that there are no concerns about the coach's relationship with the midfielder or any of his players ahead of the much-anticipated Soweto derby on Saturday.
In fact, the same Riveiro was quick to leap to Mbatha's defence when the Bafana Bafana international came under pressure from the fans recently.
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As the Buccaneers qualified for the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League following their 2-1 win over Algerian side CR Belouizdad at Orlando Stadium over two weeks ago, Mbatha came under pressure from some sections of the fans who were not happy with him losing possession during certain stages of the match, and Riveiro came into his defence in pleading with those involved against their actions.
"There is nothing to talk about to be honest. Or maybe I should say the latest is that the player is training and preparing for the next game like everybody else. Sometimes people shouldn't read too much to what's being posted on social media as not everything there is always accurate. There aren't any issues," said the source.
Happy Birthday Chairman. Please deal with Mbatha , this attitude is unacceptable....@orlandopirates pic.twitter.com/jups9i3hfv
— Tshepy_Motshwaiwa (@Tshepiso_94) January 27, 2025
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