The Siya crew has been informed that Tshegofatso Mabasa could be lost to Orlando Pirates despite being the club's leading goal scorer this season as both local and international interest continues to pour in for the striker. He is arguably the country's best 'Number 9' with no other marksman having found the back of the net more times than the 27-year-old in 2024. With the former Bloemfontein Celtic man's future now a topic of hot discussion, Soccer Laduma takes a look at what the future could hold for the player in red-hot form.
What The Siya Crew Has Been Told…
Siya sources in the know have informed Soccer Laduma that Mamelodi Sundowns are set to revisit their initial interest shown in Tshegofatso Mabasa at the start of next season. Sundowns' interest, as reported by this publication, was rebuffed by Orlando Pirates, who had slapped a hefty price tag on the player's head, despite him having only returned from a brief loan at Moroka Swallows.
Now, according to an independent source, clubs beyond the DStv Premiership have shown an interest in the forward with a view on getting his signature in the upcoming transfer window. And with just one year remaining on his current deal, the Soweto giants find themselves in a tricky situation regarding Mabasa. The Siya crew understands that there is no pressure for the player to leave the Buccaneers just yet having scored eight goals in all competitions, on top of the six that he scored during his time at Swallows. Pirates are also understood to be happy with Mabasa's contribution and how he's raised his game in the past few months since returning from loan.
Soccer Laduma reported last year that Pirates exercised the two-year option on the player's contract, which was set to end in June 2023. However, the new terms will see Sniper's contract come to an end in June 2025, which means that he effectively has one year left on his deal, meaning he will be eligible to sign a pre-contract with a club of his choice in January next year.
What Are The Facts?
Pirates won the race for Mabasa's signature when he joined the club on a three-year deal from Bloemfontein Celtic on the back of a stellar individual season where he produced a return of 10 goals and three assists in his 27 appearances for his previous club.
With the club in desperate need of a striker, the Buccaneers had hoped they had found the answer to their goal scoring woes in the then 22-year-old. And early indications were that the defending Nedbank Cup champions had found their man as he established himself as the club's leading striker, finishing off the 2019/20 campaign with seven goals in 25 appearances.
The goals kept coming the following season as he bettered his tally by scoring eight goals in 19 appearances in all competitions. The goals eventually dried up in the 2021/22 season as he bagged just three goals. Pirates' change in coaches meant Mabasa would spend the 2022/23 season out on loan with Sekhukhune United, where he had a bright start before injury blighted his time with Babina Noko.
He started the 2023/24 season out on loan at Moroka Swallows, though the club's financial straits meant that he returned to his mother club in January. That proved to be a masterstroke as the 27-year-old regained his scoring form, netting eight goals for the Buccaneers since his return.
The Story Behind The Scenes...
Bucs forced to sell?
Pirates have shown that they are not willing to part ways with their top striker just yet. But his contract situation could see the Buccaneers considering selling the player at the right price, especially if they have a back-up plan in place. It is unclear just how much Pirates have placed on the player's head, but it is very likely that they would want to get the highest possible price as they did when they sold Lyle Foster to Monaco back in the 2018/19 season.
Possible European switch on year in the works?
A move abroad has been in the works for well over a year. It did not materialise last year, but the possibility of it happening this time around has increased, especially with the player potentially available at a cut-fee price with just one year remaining on his deal with Pirates. In addition to clubs from Europe, Mabasa has also attracted interest from the Saudi Arabian Pro League.
The league has become a desired destination for players and coaches in recent times as clubs in the Gulf region have shown they can compete in terms of salaries. At 27, Mabasa's next move will be crucial, both in terms of the financial impact and his football on the field. With the Saudis showing that they are not afraid to fork out handsomely to land top talent, perhaps a move to the Gulf could be on the cards for the Bloemfontein-born man.
Sundowns throw their name in the hat!
Despite their initial failure to secure the player's signature in January, the Brazilians have reignited their interest in the burly centre- forward, as reported by the Siya crew. Mabasa was previously linked with Masandawana during the last transfer window after a loan spell with Moroka Swallows in the first half of the season. Financial difficulties at Swallows affected the striker, who was supposed to return to Pirates, but Sundowns showed interest in him due to their striking crisis, which required them to sign a top South African marksman due to restrictions with their congested foreign quota.
In addition to Mabasa, Sundowns had considered Percy Tau, Khanyisa Mayo, Fagrie Lakay, and Lars Veldwijk as potential options at the time; however, they were unwilling to meet Pirates' valuation of the player.
Recent reports suggest that Sundowns are gearing up to make another move for Mabasa, with the situation slightly favouring them this time around. It is understood that Pirates are open to negotiations with Sundowns regarding the striker, since Mabasa is in the final year of his contract. Soccer Laduma has learned that the Buccaneers exercised a two-year extension option on Mabasa's contract last year, meaning his current deal will run until June 2025.
Mabasa is no stranger to Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena, whom he worked with at Pirates. Under Mokwena's tutelage, he scored six goals in 14 appearances and a reunion at this point cannot be ruled out.
Secret Agent
The Siya crew spoke to a top agent in SA to get their expert understanding on what's going on. For obvious reasons, the agent will remain anonymous.
"What is certain is that Mabasa is a goal scorer, arguably amongst the top three best finishers in the country. What is also true is that he needs the ideal environment for him to do so. Look under (Steve) Komphela at Swallows. Even though the environment was hostile, the minute Steve showed him some love and faith in his abilities, he repaid him in goals, which is a rare commodity in world football. Currently, one could argue that he has both the right environment and the backing of the coaches at Pirates, which is evident in his current game. But we have seen how fast the winds of change could sweep in at the Buccaneers who currently have four more out-and-out strikers in Kermit (Erasmus), (Evidence) Makgopa, Zakes (Zakhele Lepasa) and (Souaibou) Marou – all of whom can start at any given time. Look, Lepasa started the season, Makgopa got a chance, Erasmus also had his chance and now it's Mabasa's. What I am saying is, will he still be Pirates' number one striker at the start of the new season? We don't know! He has to make the best decision for himself, given how short a footballer's career is. Let's hope he finds the right balance that would give him both the financial stability and the game-time he requires to continue this kind of form he has shown this season. We need him fit and ready for Bafana Bafana, he can certainly give us something."
Watch This Space
Pirates have already turned down one offer for Mabasa during the January transfer window. With the transfer window officially set to open in July, offers for the forward are expected to pour in. There had been European interest in Mabasa's services even before he re-joined Pirates, and the Buccaneers could look to ship the player on after his best-ever season at the club – at the right price. Pirates will have the final say in whether the player makes a move abroad or not. He does still have one year left on his contract with the club and forms an integral part of their plans for the upcoming season if the club are to have any chance of knocking Sundowns off their perch. There is no pressure for the Buccaneers to sell Mabasa, but with the player's contract running out, they could consider cashing in as opposed to running the risk of losing him on a free in just a few months' time.
