Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa has revealed the impact coach Jose Riveiro has had on his game this season.
Mabasa rejoined Pirates in January from Moroka Swallows, where he was on a season-long loan. The 27-year-old also spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Sekhukhune United.
The former Bloemfontein Celtic player has been on fire this season and walked away with the DStv Premiership top goal scorer award for his 16 goals. Six of the goals came while he was at Swallows, while the 10 came in just 13 goals at the Buccaneers.
Mabasa has credited his coach at Pirates, Riveiro, for a remarkable turnaround in his game this campaign.
HOW JOSE RIVEIRO INJECTS THE CONFIDENCE IN STRIKER TSHEGOFATSO MABASA
“He [Jose Riveiro] is a coach who believes in his players,” said Mabasa. “As long as you put in the work at training, he will continue to give you the confidence. For each and every player in this league, as long you find a coach who believes in your ability, that gives you that confidence in training, Then you are bound to perform at some point.
“That is exactly what happened with me. He welcomed me well back at the club, and everything has been going well for me so far,” added Mabasa.
Surprisingly, Mabasa was left out of Hugo Broos Bafana Bafana’s preliminary squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
ORLANDO PIRATES PLAYER BOOMING WITH CONFIDENCE AHEAD OF NEDBANK CUP FINAL
Mabasa was speaking ahead of the eagerly-awaited Nedbank Cup final against rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in Mbombela on Saturday. He admits that defending the cup that they won last season will not be easy against the current league champions.
“This is a very big game, I know that we come well prepared for the game. it won’t be easy. But it will be about who wants it more on the day,” he said.
“I know that the boys will give it their all. I have full confidence that we will go all the way.”
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