Sports: How Mokwena’s Departure Affected Mabasa

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 02:39 pm

While Rulani Mokwena’s tenure as interim Orlando Pirates coach was far from glittery, one thing that emerged from it was the rich vein of form of Tshegofatso Mabasa.

Since Mokwena’s departure, the appearances have dried up for the forward, and so have the goals…

Five goals in five games. That was Mabasa’s return under Mokwena, including an impressive brace in their 2-1 win over Chippa United in September 2019. Pirates fans were sure that they had found a solution to their team’s goal scoring woes.

In fact, all six of the 23-year-old’s Orlando Pirates goals came under the tutelage of Rulani Mokwena, with the last coming in November 2019.

Mokwena was subsequently relaced by Josef Zinnbauer and under Bucs’ German coach the club experienced an upturn in fortunes, but the former Bloemfontein man is yet to find the back of the net, having featured five times- all as a sub.

Of course, Mabasa’s decline was not all his own doing. His dip in form coincided with the rise of Gabadinho Mhango, who has been Zinnbauer’s go-to man for goals this season.

The Malawian currently leads the Absa Premiership goal-scoring charts with 14 strikes, 10 of them with Zinnbauer at the helm.

With a return to football nearing ever closer, Mabasa will be hoping that the seven remaining games- which will be played on a tight schedule- gives him an opportunity to stake a claim as Bucs’ leading marksman.

(Soccerladuma)