The bulky forward is convinced the friendly match Bucs played abroad will have a great effect in continental duty.
Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa is convinced the pre-season in Spain will have a major impact on the club's Caf Champions League campaign.
The Sea Robbers make a return to the prestigious continental club competition, hoping to perform better after falling in the second preliminary round in the last edition. Bucs finished behind Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns to seal their place in the annual competition.
The Nedbank Cup champions played four pre-season games in Spain; they started with a 2-2 draw against Wayne Rooney's Plymouth Argyle, then beat Sevilla 2-0. Bucs then drew 1-1 with Granada before falling 3-2 to Qatari champions Al Sadd.
Spain tour physically prepared Bucs for Caf CL
Mabasa scored two goals in the four games he played in Spain – a brace in the loss against the Qatari outfit. The towering striker has now opined how the friendly matches might go a long way in helping the team deliver in continental competition.
“I feel like we did well through the preseason camp in Spain. The tour was a success and we are proud of our performances. The games were physical and that's exactly what we will experience in Africa and now we are ready for those physical battles in the [Caf] Champions League,” Mabasa told the media.
“We were upset to lose the last game because we wanted to win every game, that's our mentality. But that was just a pre-season game and that's the right place where we could make mistakes and learn from them.”
Bucs will face Disciples FC from Madagascar in the first preliminary round of the competition. The first leg will be played on August 16 with the second one set for a week later.
