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Article continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="better-collective-widget">{"type":"better-collective-widget","data":{}}</script>Article continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Mbatha has been delivering consistently at Bucs</li><li>He is with Bafana team for Afcon qualifiers</li><li>The 24-year-old opens up on his secret to success</li></ul><a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vae4thkJZg4CmvuUtR3C">CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL!</a><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Orlando Pirates star Mbatha raves about Bafana Bafana call up - 'Hard work beats talent'

Orlando Pirates 24-year-old midfielder Thalente Mbatha has been ticking the right boxes since joining the Soweto giants from SuperSport United.The initial loan term deal was made permanent a couple of weeks ago and is seen as a critical player by coach Jose Riveiro.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Mbatha's exploits <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/hugo-broos-laments-late-start-to-psl-campaign-ahead-of-bafana-bafana-s-2025-afcon-qualifiers-it-annoys-me/blt0a91c0222f1a7b7b#cs60c688119e9ea707" target="_blank">saw him make the Bafana Bafana team</a> for back-to-back 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan respectively in the next couple of days.The midfielder also made his&nbsp;Caf Champions League debut with Bucs a few days ago and will continue the journey against Jwaneng Galaxy in the second preliminary round.Mbatha has now shared his secret of success.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

"Hard work beats talent. If you work hard it definitely pays off," the defensive midfielder told the media."As much as you can have the talent if you are not working hard, something is lacking.&nbsp;getting the experience and learning more about the soccer industry I think it's where I also have to push and tell myself that it's just the beginning."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The work continues on the second day of camp at Dobsonville Stadium as Bafana Bafana prepare for their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda on Friday, 6 September 2024 <a href="https://t.co/elzgURIUqL">pic.twitter.com/elzgURIUqL</a>— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) <a href="https://twitter.com/BafanaBafana/status/1831008810313580729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WHAT MBATHA SAID

Championship side Cardiff City have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/orlando-pirates-midfielder-mbatha-opens-up-on-reported-interest-from-english-side-and-caf-champions-league-debut/blt4074af194835cdad" target="_blank">reportedly been attracted by Mbatha</a> and might probably go for him in the next transfer window.However, the midfielder has to continue delivering consistently for both club and country to hit greater heights.

WHAT NEXT?

Orlando Pirates star Mbatha raves about Bafana Bafana call up - 'Hard work beats talent' | Goal.com South Africa

Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha adamant hard work has got him to the point where he got a call up to the national team.