Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa has sent a stern warning to Betway Premiership Golden Boot rivals, including Mamelodi Sundowns talisman Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who is currently the frontrunner to win the award.

The 28-year-old had a slow start to the league campaign after opening his 2024/25 account in the first match of the season against Chippa United, helping the Buccaneers to a 2-1 win before going on a seven-game drought, which he snapped mid-December 2024 at the expense of Marumo Gallants.

Mabasa has so far scored five goals in 17 Betway Premiership appearances, with his last goal dating back to last month against Cape Town City. Overall, the Bucs frontman has netted 13 goals and provided one assist in 34 matches across all competitions.

With two hat-tricks to his name this term, Mabasa revealed the secret recipe behind his fine goal scoring prowess in a season where the Soweto giants are competing on all fronts as they are still in contention in three competitions.

“I think it’s the support that I get from my teammates, they’re always encouraging and behind me, so I have to give my best especially for this club [because] there’s a lot of things that we are chasing this season,” he said.

“The league for example, the Champions League, we already have the MTN8, the Nedbank cup as well. And obviously, personally as a striker there’s a few things that I also want to achieve, goals that I’ve set out for myself to try and achieve before the end of the season.” 

Meanwhile, despite being a staggering eight goals behind Ribeiro, who has chipped in 13 and currently the top goal scorer, the Pirates goal-poacher boldly claims he will clinch the golden boot ahead of the Brazilian and other contenders.

“I see myself finishing first. [I will score] 18 goals in the league – that’s my target and I think I will achieve it come end of the season in the league,” claimed Mabasa, who won last season’s golden boot with 16 league goals.

While many strikers are usually reluctant to put a tally on the exact number of goals they are keen to score, the former Bloemfontein Celtic player explained why he is audaciously confident he will finish the season with 18 goals.

“I think it’s based on the chances I’ve received so far in games up until this point in the season. It hasn’t been that many [chances] and it’s also based on how teams defend particularly when I’m on the field,” Mabasa continued.

“How center-backs behave, there’s a lot of things that I’ve picked up during the season, during games in many different games as well. So, yeah, it’s based on stats.”