Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa has dropped a bold statement on his personal target for the remainder of the season.
Despite experiencing periods of inconsistency at times this season, the 28-year-old forward has had moments of joy in scoring for Ezimnyama Ngenkani.
The former Bloemfontein Celtic striker boasts two hat-tricks this campaign. The first came in the dominant 8-1 victory against Marumo Gallants in the Betway Premiership in December last year. His second came in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16, where the Buccaneers defeated Baroka FC 3-1.
Across all competitions, the Botshabelo-born striker has racked up 13 goals and provided one assist in 34 appearances.
While he currently has five goals in the league, Mabasa has asserted that he foresees himself finishing as the Betway Premiership’s top scorer for the second consecutive season.
In the previous campaign, he claimed the PSL’s Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot award after scoring 16 league goals.
However, Mabasa faces a significant challenge in achieving his goal this season as he’s eight goals behind Mamelodi Sundowns star Lucas Ribeiro, who’s leading with 13.
MABASA – I SEE MYSELF FINISHING AS THE LEAGUE’S TOP GOAL-SCORER
“I see myself finishing first,” said Mabasa during the Pirates press conference at Rand Stadium on Thursday.
He further revealed his specific goal target, “[I want to score] 18 [goals] in the league. That’s my target, and I think I will achieve it come the end of the season in the league.”
Explaining the basis for his target, Mabasa elaborated, “It’s based on chances I’ve received so far in games, up until this point in the season.
“It’s also based on the fact of how teams defend particularly when I’m on the field, how centre-backs behave.
“There are a lot of things I’ve picked up during the course of the season, in the course of games, and in many different games as well. It’s based on stats.”
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