Thalente Mbatha speaks out on Orlando Pirates’ title chances

Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha remains adamant that the Betway Premiership title race is far from over, despite the Buccaneers’ recent stumble in KwaZulu-Natal.

Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men were forced to settle for a frustrating 2-2 draw against a resilient Richards Bay FC side at the uMhlathuze Sports Complex on Friday night. The result handed the initiative back to defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who currently maintain a one-point lead at the summit with a crucial game in hand.

The Soweto giants found themselves on the back foot early on when Thulani Gumede—the same man who sank Kaizer Chiefs recently—unleashed a stunning long-range strike to give the Natal Rich Boyz a 10th-minute lead.

Pirates showed character to fight back after the interval, with Oswin Appollis restoring parity in the 52nd minute. However, the celebrations were short-lived as Richards Bay reclaimed the lead just seven minutes later, leaving the Buccaneers staring at a costly defeat. It took a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser from Lebone Seema to rescue a point and prevent a total collapse.

MBATHA: PIRATES STILL IN THE BETWAY PREMIERSHIP RACE

While the draw feels like two points dropped in the context of the championship battle, Mbatha insists the spirit within the camp remains high.

“For us, I believe that we’re still in the race,” Mbatha told Orlando Pirates TV. “We have to continue playing our game because we have to take it one game at a time. We are running our own race, and I believe that is something we must continue doing.”

☠️ ⏪ 𝗬𝗔𝗗𝗛𝗖𝗧𝗔𝗠 ⏪

🎤 Yanela Mbuthuma
🎤 Thalente Mbatha
🆚 @RichardsBayFC_
🏟 uMhlathuze Sports Complex
🗓️ Friday,10 April 2026

⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/cHChZE0jpv

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) April 11, 2026

The draw complicates Pirates’ mission to dethrone Masandawana, as they no longer have their destiny entirely in their own hands. However, the focus now shifts to their upcoming fixture against AmaZulu FC on Saturday, 18 April.

With the margin for error now non-existent, Riveiro will be looking for a more disciplined defensive performance as the club enters the final stretch of what has been a pulsating league campaign.