Thalente Mbatha's first taste of CAF Champions League football could not have come at a better time, considering he is now part of the Bafana Bafana squad that's in camp to take part in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Mbatha has reported for camp and was part of his first training with the senior national team at Dobsonville Stadium on Monday afternoon.
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Pirates are in the second round of the Champions League and will face Botswana Premier League champions Jwaneng Galaxy, but before that, Mbatha could get an opportunity to make a maiden appearance for Bafana Bafana in crucial AFCON qualifiers.
Mbatha was highly praised by Bafana coach Hugo Broos and this should give him some hope that he could get a chance to feature and continue with his incredible rise in 2024.
"I could say that it helped me a lot because I got to experience another level of football. The Champions League is not an easy level to play at, so I think it's something that's going to help me going forward, getting the experience and learning more about the soccer industry. So, I think it's where I also have to push and tell myself that it's just the beginning," the former SuperSport United midfielder said to media during a Bafana press conference held at Dobsonville Stadium.
As reported by the Siya crew, Mbatha is believed to have attracted some interest in the English Championship with Cardiff City, a club former Bafana Bafana midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi played for, and they are understood to be interested in the player. Mbatha then commented on the links to Cardiff.
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"My focus is at Pirates. I just recently got myself a contract at Pirates, so I think everything I am doing is for Pirates and they are the ones who are going to decide what's going to happen in the near future. But my focus is with Pirates."
The only players who were not part of the Bafana squad training on Monday were Elias Mokwana, Siyabonga Ngezana and Sphephelo Sithole, who are all expected to be in camp today. Broos does not have any injury concerns at the moment, leading up to Friday night's game against Uganda at Orlando Stadium.
South Africa vs Uganda
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