Ouaddou explains why Mabasa is behind Makgopa and Mbuthuma at Pirates

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has opened up over why striker Tshegofatso Mabasa has seen limited game time this season.

Mabasa was the most preferred striker under former coach Jose Riveiro but that has changed under Ouaddou, who now either goes with Evidence Makgopa or Yanele Mbuthuma in most games.

That has limited Mabasa to nine matches this season, with just three starts, and he has four goals and an assist from that spell.

However, his numbers in previous seasons were the best among strikers at the club, managing 16 goals last term and 19 in 2023-24, but the Moroccan coach has appeared to suggest that the former Bloemfontein Celtic striker does not fit into how he wants his team to play.

Ouaddou defends his selection

“To be honest, many people are asking me that question [about Mabasa’s absence], first of all, I don’t have any issue with Mabasa,” Ouaddou said on Marawa Sports Worldwide.

“He’s a player that I love, he’s a good guy, he’s a good striker, and now I have a lot of strikers. Sometimes, tactically, the profile of the defence we are going to play influences the choice of striker.

Wadu on Mabasa's absence and the type of striker he prefers.

Makgopa isn’t just a goal threat he’s a catalyst for Pirates’ attacking system. His pressing and movement generate space, recover possession high up the pitch, and dictate the game’s rhythm. Wadu values this because it… pic.twitter.com/Dmynpiz5nz

— Football Fan ⚽ (@AFootyFanSA) December 8, 2025

“Sometimes we are playing high, sometimes we’re playing mid-block. My game model is very demanding. There are a lot of runs, pressing, and a lot of demand in terms of fitness. With my staff, we are choosing players regarding the opponents we are going to play.”

Ouaddou then explained the tactical decisions that informs his team selection and why Mabasa is struggling to get into the team ahead of Makgopa and Mbuthuma.

What does Mabasa need to do?

“If the opponents are building from the back, we need someone to chase. He had the opportunity to play maybe not enough, but I have Makgopa, Mbuthuma, Mabasa, [Boitumelo] Radiopane, and [Sfiso] Luthuli, five players in one position,” he added.

“And sometimes fans can feel that there is an injustice, but it’s just rules, and I can only play 11 players on the pitch. As a coach and educator, I have to improve players.”

The former Marumo Gallants coach has also called on Mabasa to improve a key area of his game that is making it difficult to get into the starting XI.

“Mabasa knows that he’s one of the best players who is capable of finishing in the box. Now we’re pressing very high and chasing, I cannot afford to leave the opponents with the ball for than five seconds, it’s too much,” said the tactician.

“It’s an area that he knows he needs to do more. When you have players who are able to do that, we make the choice to select those kinds of players. We expect a bit more from him in terms of pressing.”