Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has revealed the reasons behind Tshegofatso Mabasa’s omission from the matchday squad.
The goal-poacher has missed the first two official matches for Pirates so far this season despite being the club’s top goal scorer in the past two campaigns.
Last weekend, Mabasa watched from the stands as Pirates defeated Polokwane City FC 2-0 in the MTN8 quarter-final at Orlando Stadium.
In the absence of the Bafana Bafana striker, Boitumelo Radiopane has been a starter, while new signing Yanela Mbuthuma has been used as a second-half substitute.
The Buccaneers suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Sekhukhune United in their opening match of the Betway Premiership at home in Soweto on Saturday night.
Mabasa was a notable absentee yet again as Pirates dropped points in a tough encounter against Babina Noko.
OUADDOU SAYS MABASA’S ABSENCE IS A TACTICAL DECISION
The experienced forward is a surprise exclusion from the matchday squad after scoring 15 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions last season.
Mabasa was a key figure under the then-head coach Jose Riveiro as the Sea Robbers reached the CAF Champions League semi-final, defended their MTN8 title and finished the season as runners-up in the league.
While the two preferred strikers, Radiopane and Mbuthuma, are yet to open their goal-scoring accounts for the season, Ouaddou says Mabasa’s absence is a tactical decision.
“Like I told you in the previous press conference, Mabasa is available; it’s just the choice we made,” Ouaddou said.
“He’s ready, and when we call him, I think he will be able to perform and give us the best of himself. Of course, you can ask some questions because the striker we put in didn’t score.
“So I understand your question, I told you that we have a lot of players this season and everybody will get their chance at the right moment.”
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