Striker rivalry spurs Mabasa as Pirates eye fourth MTN8 title

Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa is excited by the depth his side boasts in the striking department ahead of what promises to be a demanding season.

Mabasa and his Pirates teammates will have their hands full this weekend as Stellenbosch FC will look to end their dominance in the MTN8. The two sides will battle it out in the final at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, with kickoff at 6pm on Saturday.

This will be the second consecutive season in which both clubs contest the MTN8 final. While Pirates are chasing a record fourth straight crown, Stellies will be aiming to double their tally of top-flight trophies.

Mabasa could well play a part against the Cape Winelands side, and the occasion will be extra special for him. He was on the scoresheet in last year’s final, delivering a decisive goal that brought the Buccaneers within touching distance of victory.

However, the 28-year-old has endured a challenging start to the current campaign. Despite his proven ability in front of goal, competition for places has been fierce under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who has rotated his options in the forward line.

Even with those challenges, Mabasa has fully understood his coach’s stance, pushing himself to stay sharp even when on the sidelines.

“What was going through my mind was to keep on improving,” Mabasa said about his time out of the starting line-up.

“Each and every day when I step onto the field I want to improve, and from the meetings I had with the coach I understood that it was not yet my time.

"The guys that were playing ahead of me, Radio (Boitumelo Radiopane) for example, deserved their chance with the way they expressed themselves in training and throughout preseason until now.

“The same with Evidence (Makgopa), whoever that was there deserved to be there, and at that moment it was them that were chosen, and we knew they were capable of doing the job.”

The Sea Robbers entered the campaign as one of the prime contenders for silverware, and while they have been dominant in the MTN8, the Buccaneers will also be eager to end a 13-year wait for a league championship and once again challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for domestic supremacy. 

Last season, they pushed the reigning champions deep into the title race, but a lack of depth proved costly in the decisive run-in.

Mabasa highlighted that this season feels different, with far greater strength in numbers across the pitch. That competition for places, he believes, has raised the standards within the squad and created a sense of flexibility that can serve the team well throughout the year.

“Just like each and every other position in the team, we have good squad depth with good quality players, and each and every one brings something different to the table.

“So we know for different types of games Evidence will start, and when it’s expected he’ll play certain matches, then I get the start or Radio does. It comes down to the differences and abilities we each have individually, and also what we offer the team on the day, depending on the opponent.”