Former Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa has opened up about his departure from the club after an eight-year spell with the Buccaneers.
The 29-year-old is currently a free agent after spending the second half of last season on loan at Stellenbosch FC.
Despite missing a significant portion of the campaign, the striker affectionately known as “Sniper” still managed to score seven goals across all competitions, underlining his quality in front of goal.
Speaking to Lebohang Mokoena on Soccerbeat, Mabasa expressed gratitude for his time at Pirates and reflected on some of the most memorable moments of his career at the club.
Mabasa leaves Orlando Pirates with 50 goals to his name, making him the club’s second-highest goalscorer of all time.
Asked to pick his favourite goal in Pirates colours, the forward highlighted two strikes that remain special to him.
“There are a lot of them, but if I were to choose my best goal for the club, it would be between two goals,” Mabasa said.
“The first one is the goal I scored against Hungry Lions when we went on to win the competition and eventually beat Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final.
“The other one would be the volley I scored against Wits at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Unfortunately, we lost the game 4-3, but what a goal that was. I scored it with my weaker foot.”
Mabasa also shed light on the difficult period that preceded his loan move to Stellenbosch, admitting that the lack of communication regarding his future left him frustrated and uncertain.
Mabasa was unused at Pirates before he was loaned out
“It was a very confusing and difficult situation for me at that time. It was challenging mentally as well, but I had to stay ready because any day I could be given an opportunity to go out and play,” he explained.
“Nothing was really communicated to me in terms of what the next step was. I just waited because I knew I still had a job to do, which was to play and help the team win games.
“It’s unfortunate that I didn’t hear anything. I wasn’t called regarding my future at the club.”
With his Pirates chapter now closed, Mabasa will be hoping to secure a new club and continue adding to an impressive goalscoring career.
