By Lukanyo Tshitshi
The Orlando Pirates frontman, Tshegofatso Mabasa is the Dstv Premiership top scorer with 16 goals. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix | Credit: BackpagePix
CAPE TOWN: Despite starting the season on loan, the 2023/24 Dstv campaign will be the season to remember for Tshegofatso Mabasa, as he walked away with a top goal scorer accolade, and his side, Orlando Pirates, returns to the CAF Champions League after the dreadful start this season when they were knocked out before group stages.
Following two successive loan spells to Sekhukhune United for the 2023/24 season and Moroka Swallows for the first round of the 2023/24 season, Mabasa solidified his place in the Pirates starting XI, outperforming Zakhele Lepasa, who started the season with tremendous vigour, and Evidence Mokgopa.
Mabasa was brought back to the Buccaneers during the January transfer window as a replacement for Bienvenu Eva Nga, who had left Pirates to return to Chippa United and to strengthen the Buccaneers' attacking frontline after netting six goals in 15 appearances for Swallows in all competitions.
Since then, the 27-year-old centre forward has found the net 13 times in 17 appearances for the Bucs in all competitions, adding to his combined 19 goals this season for both the Moroka Swallows and the Orlando Pirates.
Unexpectedly Bafana Bafana exclusion.
What came as a surprise for many football supporters, more specifically for Buccaneers supporters, was Mabasa’s exclusion from the Bafana Bafana 32-man preliminary squad that will contest against Zimbabwe and Nigeria next month in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
However, his fellow teammates Patrick "Tito" Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa, and Thapelo Xoki appeared to be fit enough to be selected for the preliminary squad, which will be reduced to a 23-man squad ahead of the upcoming clash against Super Eagles at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Nigeria.
2023/24 PSL Awards nominees.
Having had a terrific season in front of goals, Mabasa is among Pirates players dominating the 2024 Premier Soccer League (PSL) awards nominees announced by the league on Friday.
Surprisingly, Maswanganyi, who undoubtedly had a wonderful debut season with Orlando Pirates, was left out of the footballer of the season nominations, which included Ronwen William and Tebogo Mokoena of Mamelodi Sundowns and Iqraam Rayners of Stellenbosch.
Jose Riveiro, the Spain-born head coach, seems to have brought back the glory days at Es'godini Sika-Mabinzela, having led the Bucs to four finals and won three, two MTN8 titles, and one Nedbank trophy in his two seasons in charge.
The next stop now for Riveiro’s side is in Mpumalanga at Mbombela Stadium on June 1, 2024, where they will lock horns with the forever-on-form Rulani Mokwena’s side, Mamelodi Sundowns, in the Nedbank Cup Ke Yona final.
The last time these two teams met in the final was late last year in the MTN 8 final, which ended in favour of the Pirates winning 3-1 on penalties.
The 2024 PSL awards nominees are as follows:
PSL Footballer of the Season: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
DStv Premiership Player’s Player of the Season: Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
DStv Premiership Coach of the Season: Steve Barker (Stellenbosch FC), Rulani Mokwena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jose Riveiro (Orlando Pirates)
DStv Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season: Badra Sangare (Sekhukhune United), Sage Stephens (Stellenbosch FC), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
DStv Premiership Defender of the Season: Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Deano Van Rooyen (Stellenbosch FC), Tapelo Xoki (Orlando Pirates)
DStv Premiership Midfielder of the Season: Sanele Barns (Richards Bay), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC)
DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season: Shandre Campbell (SuperSport United), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon (SuperSport United)
MTN8 Last Man Standing: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Zakhele Lepasa (Orlando Pirates), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates)
Carling Knockout Cup Player of the Tournament: Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch FC), Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC)
Nedbank Cup Player of the tournament: Tshegofatso Mabasa (Orlando Pirates), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC)
Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Season: Shandre Campbell (SuperSport United), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC)
DStv Diski Challenge Rewired Player of the Season: Jody Ah Shene (Cape Town City), Ntando Nkosi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Langelihle Phili (Stellenbosch FC)
Referee of the Season: Sikhumbuzo Gasa, Philangenkosi Khumalo, Abongile Tom
Assistant Referee of the Season: Cledwin Baloyi, Lalelani Mngadi, Romario Phiri
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