Thalente Mbatha Speaks on Pressure About Bafana Bafana's Qualification After Losing to Egypt

• Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha has commented on Bafana Bafana feeling so much pressure after losing to Egypt in their second AFCON 2025 group game
• The South African international was part of the squad that faced the seven-time African champions, which ended in a controversial defeat at the Stade Adrar on Friday evening
• The Premier Soccer League midfielder's submission was met with different reactions from football fans on social media after the match

Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha insists that Bafana Bafana are not feeling extra pressure following their loss to Egypt in the second group-stage match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

South Africa went down 1-0 to a 10-man Egyptian side at the Stade Adrar in Agadir on Friday night.

Coach Hugo Broos’ squad will be looking to bounce back when they face Zimbabwe on Monday, 29 December, with qualification to the next round still up for grabs.

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Mbatha remains optimistic despite the setback, emphasising that the defeat does not increase the burden on the team.

Mbatha on qualification pressure after first defeat

Mbatha told SABC Sport that he doesn’t feel the team is under excessive pressure.

“As a squad, we have the talent to secure all three points in that match. Our priority is to stay focused and execute the coach’s strategy,” he said.

He acknowledged that Bafana Bafana have struggled with confidence in their last two games and emphasised the importance of improving in this area against Zimbabwe.

“For us, it’s about trusting ourselves and having belief in our capabilities,” he added.

“We possess the quality, but it hasn’t fully shown in our previous two matches. We need to be sharper, more intelligent in our play, and remain concentrated on the game plan.”

Here is what fans are saying on social media about Mbatha's view ahead of Bafana Bafana's clash against Zimbabwe.

Hayden Shikwambana

When last did Bafana beat Egypt? As for Zimbabwe, they are going to pack the bus to frustrate Bafana, and I foresee another Mbokazi rugby talent

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Broos remains unfazed by Bafana Bafana’s defeat to Cameroon after AFCON 2025 exit

TG Teegee

One football analyst once said that dribbling and scoring a good goal

Consequences Zulu Luyolo

Sometimes we need to go back on how we won our games convincingly, so that we can see where we lost it, because it seems like we are no longer playing our star players according to their strengths.

Qonda Akhona

Nkawu, you overpowered Jnr Kubenga Gelezenga Kula in a "heated debate. Jnr's point is that Broos is predictable, lucky and a defensive coach. Egypt game, we had nothing to lose, he should have played an open game with a 4-3-3 system, Ariseke Axelele Bafana bayiprese egypt. Mokwana is not better than Lorch and Tapelo Morena; we can beat Egypt any day. Broos didn't have an exit plan in his defensive approach

Transgress Magdalen Magadali

Sundowns players used to dominate the Bafana Bafana squad; whether the player came from the bench or not, the impact was always there. But these days, Pirates players come with conditions. This one must start, this one must come from the bench and blah blah 🚮 it’s still early, we're gonna cry because of this Bafana Pirates

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AFCON 2025: Broos explains why Bafana Bafana lost to Cameroon

Modisane Modisane

Bafana is not in trouble. They win their last game, and Top16 they are in

Mudau: What to fix ahead of Zimbabwe's clash

Briefly News also reported that Khuliso Mudau shared what Bafana Bafana need to fix ahead of their last group game fixture against Zimbabwe.

The Mamelodi Sundowns right back is looking forward to making the second round at the ongoing AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

Source: Briefly News