Orlando Pirates have extended the contract of highly-rated forward Tshegofatso Mabasa following his return to the club from a loan spell at Moroka Swallows.
Mabasa spent the first half of the season on loan at Swallows, but the Soweto side released him as they sought to reduce their wage bill.
Pirates have since extended his stay in the DStv Premiership until June 2026 after triggering an option on his deal.
The 27-year-old, affectionately nicknamed ‘Sniper’, has been a revelation for Swallows this season, bagging an impressive six goals in just 15 appearances. His clinical finishing and electric pace have caught the eye of several clubs, but the Sea Robbers have opted to keep him.
AmaZulu FC and Tanzanian giants Young Africans SC were rumoured to be interested in signing the former Bloemfontein Celtic forward. However, Pirates’ valuation of the striker, in the region of R4.5 million, may have chased away potential suitors.
WHO WILL MABASA COMPETE WITH AT ORLANDO PIRATES?
Mabasa’s return bolsters Orlando Pirates’ attacking options, adding much-needed depth and competition for places upfront. He is currently two goals behind the league’s top scorer, Khanyisa Mayo, and his goalscoring prowess could be a game-changer for the Soweto giants as they look to finish the season strong.
However, he will have to compete with the resurgent Evidence Makgopa, who had a decent AFCON tournament. The 23-year-old forward started all of Bafana Bafana’s fixtures in Ivory Coast, weighing in with a goal and an assist.
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Pirates mentor Jose Riveiro has already stated how much the Bafana forward has improved in recent months.
There is also Zakhele Lepasa, who deputised Makgopa at the AFCON, waiting in the wings. Lepasa had a good start to the season but has been reduced to a peripheral role following Makgopa’s rise.
Cameroonian forward Souiaibou Marou is also fighting for that starting place at the Buccaneers, making Tshegofatso Mabasa’s case complicated.