Pirates Confirm Mabasa’s Loan Move To Stellenbosch

Orlando Pirates have confirmed that Tshegofatso Mabasa has been loaned to Stellenbosch FC for the remainder of the season.

The move has been anticipated, as Mabasa has fallen out of favour at Pirates, with head coach Abdelsam Ouaddou preferring Evidence Makgopa and Yanela Mbuthuma in attack.

The 29-year-old striker, who was part of Pirates’ camp in Rustenburg as the team prepared for the second half of the season, departs having failed to feature in the club’s last eight matches across all competitions.

This includes their Carling Knockout Cup final victory over Marumo Gallants earlier this month.

“Orlando Pirates can confirm the move of striker Tshegofatso Mabasa to Stellenbosch FC. The 29-year-old joins Stellies on loan for the remainder of the season,” the club said in a statement.

The decision to allow Mabasa to leave has raised eyebrows, particularly with Pirates sitting at the top of the table and pushing for the league title. The Buccaneers will now rely on Makgopa and Mbuthuma, who have yet to prove as clinical in front of goal as Mabasa.

A loan move is not unfamiliar territory for the former Bloemfontein Celtic forward. He spent the first half of the 2023/24 season on loan at Moroka Swallows before being recalled by Pirates for the second half of the campaign.

Mabasa went on to win the PSL Golden Shoe award in the 2023/24 season after scoring 16 goals — six for Swallows and 10 for Pirates.

At Stellenbosch, Mabasa joins head coach Gavin Hunt, who recently took over from Steve Barker, following Barker’s move to Tanzanian giants Simba SC. Hunt faces a tough task as he looks to lift Stellies away from the relegation zone.

Stellenbosch currently sit third from bottom on the league table, having collected 12 points from 14 matches, one point above 15th-placed Magesi and three clear of bottom side Chippa United.

Mabasa is expected to make his debut for Stellenbosch against Sekhukhune United at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday.