Orlando Pirates midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula remains hopeful that lethal striker Tshegofatso Mabasa could make a sensational return to the Soweto giants, even as the forward’s future hangs precariously in the balance.
Mabasa faces an incredibly uncertain period at Mayfair after spending the second half of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign out on loan at Stellenbosch FC.
The 29-year-old marksman was sacrificed in January after struggling for regular game time under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who took the wheel at the club in July 2025.
Under Ouaddou’s tactical regime, Evidence Makgopa and Yanela Mbuthuma have shouldered the goalscoring responsibilities upfront. With Mabasa seemingly hitting a tactical mismatch in Ouaddou’s blueprint, a loan move to Stellies was sanctioned to secure his minutes.
During his short stint in the Western Cape, the former Bloemfontein Celtic talisman found the back of the net four times in 14 appearances across all competitions. Consequently, his scoring instincts remain sharp despite the change of scenery.
In fact, what makes Mabasa’s looming exit a massive talking point for the Ghost is how close he stands to rewriting the club’s history books. Specifically, he left the Sea Robbers with 50 goals to his name, leaving him just eight goals shy of eclipsing Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi’s legendary all-time club record of 58 goals.
Nevertheless, despite boasting this proven track record in front of goal, the striker faces a race against time to settle his future at Mayfair, particularly with his current contract set to expire on 30 June 2026.
WHAT MAKHEHLENE MAKHAULA SAID ABOUT MABASA
With the Buccaneers yet to approach Mabasa or his representatives regarding a contract extension, indications grow clearer that his tenure at Mayfair may have reached its end.
Meanwhile, speaking on Pirates TV’s Bucs Camp on Sunday evening, Makhehlene Makhaula admitted that seeing the forward depart for the Winelands-based outfit was an emotional moment for the squad, while expressing lingering hope that the clinical frontman will ultimately make his way back to the club.
“The departure of players like Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Tshegofatso Mabasa was a bit emotional,” said Makhaula. “We worked with Mabasa for a long time; he was a friend and a brother when you needed him in terms of advice on how to improve your game.
“He helped the young guys because he’s part of the senior players, and hopefully Tshego will come back because it’s a loan. Hopefully, he comes back to help the team achieve more goals.”
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