Former Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa has opened up on his shock exit from the club, detailing the events leading up to his departure.
‘Sniper’ parted ways with Pirates a few days ago as he headlined the big names who have been released by the club following the conclusion of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, where the Soweto giants ended their 14-year drought for the league title.
Mabasa is leaving Pirates with his contract set to expire at the end of June 2026, ending the successful eight-season spell with the Buccaneers.
The Bafana Bafana international signed with the Sea Robbers back in 2019 from the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtic. He became one of the Pirates’ prolific strikers in recent years, proving to be one of the best finishers across the PSL.
Before his departure from Pirates, Mabasa was closing in on the club’s all-time goalscoring record held by Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi. The prolific striker netted 50 goals for the Buccaneers, just eight shy of Vilakazi’s historic tally of 58.
But Mabasa spent the second stanza of the just-ended campaign on loan at Stellenbosch FC after struggling for regular game time under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, despite proving to be far more lethal in front of goal than the club’s other attackers. Ouaddou previously stated that Mabasa did not fit his tactical system.
Following the expiry of his six-month loan deal at Stellies, Pirates opted against offering the forward a contract extension. He leaves Mayfair alongside other high-profile names, including Sipho Mbule, Bandile Shandu, Karim Kimvuidi, Gilberto, and Thabiso Lebitso. Lebitso’s exit facilitated a player-exchange agreement, allowing Pirates to secure the services of midfielder Mthetheli Mthiyane from Stellenbosch.
WHAT MABASA SAID ABOUT THE ‘UNFORTUNATE’ PIRATES’ SITUATION
Reflecting on the conversations prior to his ultimate exit at Pirates, the 29-year-old admitted that the situation was confusing.
“Look, it was a very confusing and difficult situation [lack of game-time], challenging mentally as well, but I had to keep myself ready while waiting for my opportunity,” Mabasa told Soccer Beat.
“So nothing was really communicated to me in terms of what the next step is; I just waited because I knew at that time I had a job that was going to play and help the team win games.
“And during that period, that’s all I was focused on; it’s unfortunate that I didn’t hear anything else where I was called in to say, can we do this or this is the plan and way forward.”
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