Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou confirmed that Thalente Mbatha did not play against TS Galaxy due to injury concerns. The midfielder missed the match following his return from a stint in the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns. Ouaddou explained that Mbatha needed additional time to recover before being ready for league action.
The decision came after Pirates suffered a 2-0 defeat to Sundowns in the MTN8 final. The loss ended their hopes of winning the Wafa-Wafa cup, with the final taking place at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Ouaddou acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized the team’s focus on rebuilding for the upcoming league match.
This setback follows a challenging season for Orlando Pirates, marked by inconsistent performances and key player absences. The club is now set to face TS Galaxy in a crucial league fixture at the Orlando Stadium. Ouaddou has praised the team’s resilience and is hopeful of a strong response to their recent defeat. The match is scheduled for Tuesday night at 7.30pm.
