Hunt outlines the blueprint to unlocking Pirates striker Mabasa

Stellenbosch FC head coach Gavin Hunt has delivered a masterclass on forward management, explaining exactly how to get the best out of January signing Tshegofatso Mabasa.

The striker, affectionately known as “Sniper,” proved his worth with a clinical brace against Chippa United, taking his tally to three goals since joining the Cape Winelands side on a season-long loan from Orlando Pirates.

For Hunt, the secret to Mabasa’s success isn’t complicated: it’s all about the service.

“You Have to Service the Striker” – Hunt on Mabasa

Every goal Mabasa has netted for Stellies thus far has come from inside the box—a testament to his predatory instincts. Hunt was vocal about the tactical adjustments required to accommodate a player of Mabasa’s profile, suggesting that his parent club might have been asking the wrong things of him.

“I said to my guys on Thursday, ‘You can’t play Mabasa if you’re not going to service him; you have to service a striker’,” Hunt told the media.

The veteran tactician noted that while modern football often demands strikers who relentlessly press defenders—something Pirates reportedly prioritized—Mabasa’s true value lies in his finishing.

“He doesn’t do the things that Pirates wants him to do [press defences]… he doesn’t do that for us either. But if you service him, he will score. This guy can score.”

The “Five-Metre” Instinct

Hunt emphasised that Mabasa possesses a natural goal-scoring knack that cannot be coached. The focus at Stellenbosch has shifted to ensuring the wide players and wing-backs are constantly feeding the “Sniper” in the danger zone.

“He’s got that five-metre strike to go into the net; you can’t buy that,” Hunt added. “If you play wide, you’ve got to service him. If you put balls across, he’ll come across into your post and score.”

As Stellies continue their Betway Premiership campaign, the directive from the bench is clear: the goals will come, provided the supply line remains open.

Mabasa’s Stellies Start: By The Numbers

Joined: January 2026 (Loan from Orlando Pirates)

Goals Scored: 3

Shot Location: 100% inside the penalty area

Latest Performance: Brace vs Chippa United