Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has hailed attacker Tshegofatso Mabasa’s impressive influence on the Buccaneers squad.
The 27-year-old striker has made quite an impact since his return to Pirates from a loan spell at Moroka Swallows.
Scoring a brace against Hungry Lions and contributing significantly in the Nedbank Cup signals Mabasa’s form and potency as a striker.
His previous goal against Crystal Lake has further highlighted his effectiveness in front of the goal.
The striker has kept the likes of Zakhele Lephasa, Kermit Erasums and Souaibou Marou out of the starting line-up since his return to the club.
“What we are looking for in that position, he fits well. He’s a striker that can help us to play better,” Riveiro said.
“We all know what Tshego can do in the box, his quality, and his timing in the air. He’s very complete.
“But he’s also improving with playing far from the box, he’s also giving us a lot of things, we don’t see the number nine as a player to finalise the action in the box,” he added.
“We need a player that helps us to play better, to play the football that we want to play, to be in contact with the ball and dominate the central lane of the field. We want a striker that can create spaces for our three number 10.
“And so far Tshego is doing well, it is good for him and the team because he’s finding the net which is important for number nine,” Reveiro concluded.
Pirates are through to the last eight of the Nedbank Cup and will learn who they will face in the quarter-finals as the draw will be done on Monday evening.
Written by Ayanda Vezi