Orlando Pirates top striker Tshegofatso Mabasa has been linked with a move to Stellenbosch.
The 29-year-old forward has only played nine matches across all competitions under Abdeslam Ouaddou. With Evidence Makgopa and Yanela Mbethuma playing ahead of him, Mabasa find himself as a third-choice striker at the club.
To make matters worse, the Soweto giants have signed another forward in Andre de Jong.
In recent weeks, the former Bloemfontein Celtic striker’s future at the club has been in the air, with some suggesting he might join Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
Mabasa’s time at Pirates might be up?
Last week, the striker was seen training with his Pirates teammates, which indicated he’s still at the Bucs camp and might be loaned out.
During the 2023/24 season, Mabasa was loaned out to Swallows, where he bagged six goals before he rejoined the Buccaneers midseason.
“To be honest, many people are asking me that question [about Mabasa’s absence]. First of all, I don’t have any issue with Mabasa,” the Pirates coach said on 947.
“He’s a player that I love; he’s a good guy, he’s a good striker, and now I have a lot of strikers. Sometimes, tactically, the profile of the defence we are going to play influences the choice of striker.
“Sometimes we are playing high, sometimes we’re playing mid-block. My game model is very demanding. There are a lot of runs, pressing, and a lot of demand in terms of fitness. With my staff, we are choosing players regarding the opponents we are going to play,” Ouaddou said.
Beside Mabasa, Pirates have Makgopa, Mbuthuma, Radiopane, Luthuli and De Jong, meaning one of the five players might end up just playing one or two times in the remaining 18 league matches for the Sea Robbers.
“If the opponents are building from the back, we need someone to chase. He had the opportunity to play, maybe not enough, but I have Makgopa, Mbuthuma, Mabasa, [Boitumelo] Radiopane, and [Sfiso] Luthuli, five players in one position.
“And sometimes fans can feel that there is an injustice, but it’s just rules, and I can only play 11 players on the pitch. As a coach and educator, I have to improve players,” Ouaddou explained.