Chiefs-linked Mabasa opens up on how Pirates tortured him before his exit

Orlando Pirates confirmed the exit of South Africa international striker Tshegofatso Mabasa a couple of days ago, ending an eight-year association with the 29-year-old star.

Mabasa has been in and out of the team, but still managed to score 50 goals, just eight shy of breaking Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi’s all-time best of 58 strikes. In the last six months of the 2025/26 season, the towering forward was loaned to another Premier Soccer League side, Stellenbosch.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou regarded Mabasa as surplus to requirements, explaining why he opted to work with Yanela Mbuthuma, who joined from Richards Bay at the beginning of the season, as well as Evidence Makgopa. Boitumelo Radiopane was the other player who was used occasionally when available.

Apart from ‘Sniper’, the Buccaneers parted ways with Thabitso Lebitso, Bandile Shandu, Sipho Mbule, Karim Kimvuidi and Deivi Miguel Vieira (Gilberto) following the conclusion of their deals.

Nothing was communicated to Mabasa

Mabasa, who has been heavily linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs, has now confirmed that despite his contract almost concluding, the Sea Robbers made no point of contacting him to discuss the situation.

“Look, it was a very confusing and difficult situation [lack of game-time], challenging mentally as well, but I had to keep myself ready while waiting for my opportunity,” Mabasa told Soccer Beat.

“So nothing was really communicated to me in terms of what the next step is; I just waited because I knew at that time I had a job that was going to play and help the team win games.

“And during that period, that’s all I was focused on; it’s unfortunate that I didn’t hear anything else where I was called in to say, can we do this or this is the plan and way forward.”