Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha could be in line to make his return to the starting line-up for their highly anticipated showdown against league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns this weekend, the Siya crew understands.
Mbatha was a notable absentee during Pirates' recent goalless draw with Stellenbosch FC on Tuesday evening, sparking concerns among supporters.
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It is understood that the 25-year-old was omitted from Jose Riveiro's matchday squad as a precautionary measure, as he is currently on three yellow cards for the season and just one caution away from suspension.
With Pirates in desperate need of maximum points to close the significant 18-point gap between them and Sundowns, Riveiro will likely reinstate Mbatha to strengthen the team's midfield and improve their chances of securing a crucial victory at FNB Stadium.
The Buccaneers will be eager to redeem themselves following a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Sundowns in the first-round fixture at Loftus Versfeld Stadium last month.
That result left Pirates with unfinished business, making this weekend's encounter even more important.
Mbatha has been one of the standout performers for the Soweto giants this season, displaying impressive consistency and work rate.
Despite his unfortunate own goal in the recent loss to Marumo Gallants, the KwaMashu-born midfielder managed to retain his place in the squad, delivering solid performances in Pirates' back-to-back wins against Chippa United and SuperSport United in both the league and the Nedbank Cup.
His stellar form has not gone unnoticed, as he was recently rewarded with a call-up to Hugo Broos' latest Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
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Having missed the first-round encounter against Sundowns, Mbatha is now in contention for selection this time around, with club insiders suggesting that he will likely feature in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
With Pirates looking to reignite their title aspirations and exact revenge on their Tshwane rivals, all eyes will be on Mbatha and his teammates as they prepare for one of their most significant matches of the season.
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