Final game-changer: Mabasa’s quest for Bafana recognition
Smiso Msomi
Orlando Pirates sharpshooter Tshegofatso Mabasa remains calm about his Bafana Bafana chances due to a rich vein of form in the club colours.
Mabasa proved his worth in the MTN8 final, reigniting discussions about his potential inclusion in the Bafana squad. Despite being the league's top scorer, Mabasa remains patient and focused on his club performance, while awaiting national team recognition.
Nicknamed ‘Sniper’, Mabasa’s expertise were on display yet again this past weekend as he came off the bench to score the decisive goal of the MTN8 final before setting up another for Relebohile Mofokeng.
#MTN8CHAMPIONS 🏆🏆🏆
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) October 5, 2024
FT || @orlandopirates 3 - 1 @StellenboschFC
🥅 Saleng 44’, Mabasa 90+2’, Mofokeng 90+5’
🎤 Relebohile Mofokeng
🎤 Sipho Chaine
🎤 Josè Riveiro
⚫⚪🔴⭐#MTN8Final #OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/Js0bmdpJkM
The 27-year-old finished the previous season as the top scorer in the domestic league, pipping Mamelodi Sundowns’ Iqraam Rayners (in the colours of Stellies then) to the coveted award with 16 goals.
Speaking after his massive contribution in the final, Mabasa responded to questions about his exclusion from the national team ahead of the AFCON qualifiers. Mabasa expressed that he is not losing his patience with coach Hugo Broos’ decision and will continue binding his time.
“Coming to the national team issue or topic it will happen, if God wants it to happen it will happen,” Mabasa said.
“I will just continue to put the ball into the back of the net and continue to work hard at training because I know that I have the support of my teammates. Everyone keeps telling me you have to head up and continue to work hard, it will happen.”
It seemed as if Mabasa was close to becoming a figure in Broos’ side when he scored three goals in four games in the 2023 COSAFA Cup competition in Durban. However, despite his 16 goals and three assists under head coach Jose Riveiro, Mabasa has had to watch the likes of Rayners, Lyle Forster and teammate Evidence Makgopa get the nod from Broos.
The Belgium-born coach has come out to defend his decision in the past by stating that he recognises the expertise of Mabasa but feels both Rayners, Forster and Makgopa are ahead of him stylistically.
Broos and his charges will face Congo-Brazzaville in back-to-back matches in the CAF 2025 AFCON qualifiers next with pressure to recover from early wobbles.
Bafana will battle it out with The Red Devils in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape on Friday at 7pm, before jetting off to west Africa for the return fixture on Tuesday. Following a draw against Uganda and a win over South Sudan, Bafana are placed second in Group K with four points after two games.
They are equal on points with log leaders Uganda and Broos will be hoping to collect all six points against Congo to increase their chances of qualifying for the AFCON tournament, which will take place in Morocco in December next year.
Mabasa, on the other hand, will polish his scoring boots as he waits for the return of club football scheduled for October 19 in the Carling Knockout Cup.