As Thalente Mbatha's agent Mike Makaab reflects on Thalente Mbatha's journey from SuperSport United to Orlando Pirates, Jose Riveiro's eye for talent has contributed another national team asset.
Prior to the 2022/23 season, Riveiro brought Monnapule Saleng on loan from Moroka Swallows into the spotlight against Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2022 MTN8 semi-final first leg.
Since then, the winger has not looked back.
After winning the PSL Players' Player of the Season award last season, his quality cannot be questioned.
In addition, the Spaniard also introduced little-known teenager Relebohile Mofokeng to the Buccaneers senior team, and his belief that if a player is good enough, he is old enough has revealed a gem on the radar of European clubs.
The Soweto giants signed Mbatha on loan from SuperSport in January, and the 24-year-old has already been called up to the national team.
To think that he came from SuperSport, where he did not get a lot of game-time, is remarkable, says ProSport International CEO Mike Makaab, who helped facilitate the move.
However, different styles of play, different thought processes from different coaches have to be respected. At Pirates, he has fitted perfectly.
'I think he's a modern footballer. He's got fantastic physical attributes and he's a sensible young man, and I've told him to remain humble, to always strive to improve.
The next logical move for him would be to Europe if he wants to succeed at international level. Now that he is playing for the national team, he needs to set the world on fire.
I've always said that players should dream about playing at the highest level in their lives, because when they do that, they have a good chance of achieving [a] really top-class career, and Thalente is one of those players who will improve as more expectations are placed on him.
He has that kind of character and the ability to improve all the time, and I'm excited for him," the experienced agent stated.
