Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha has weighed in on the jeers that went his way during their CAF Champions League match against CR Belouizdad of Algeria on Sunday.
Pirates won 2-1 to seal their place in the quarter-final, with Mbatha scoring what turned out to be the match winner from a long-range strike.
The midfielder’s strike was a special goal having left the goalkeeper with no chance from outside the box in the 63rd minute and it silenced the supporters somewhat.
Mbatha welcomes criticism
Pirates fans had been jeering Mbatha before the goal after he lost possession a number of times which allowed the visitors to launch attacks although they did not find a way past Pirates until their late consolation.
“Fans will always be talking,” Mbatha said in relation to the fans’ reaction.
“So, it’s something that doesn’t go through my mind because whether you do bad or good, they will always still talk. So, they always check for the negative and I just play for the team.
Will Pirates floor al Ahly?
“I just knew that I was going to take the shot, not the goal I didn’t know. But luckily it went through the net so yeah thank you.”
Pirates remain unbeaten in the Champions League this season after three wins and two draws left them top of their group ahead of their final match against Al Ahly.
The Buccaneers will face the defending champions in Cairo on January 18 and coach Jose Riveiro has indicated that he will not allow complacency into his players even though they are qualified as he wants to finish top of Group C.
