Mabasa’s Pirates future: Agent provides clarity amid contract uncertainty

Football agent Gary Cassisa has provided much-needed clarity on Tshegofatso Mabasa’s situation at Orlando Pirates, as speculation intensifies regarding the striker’s long-term future with the Soweto giants.

Mabasa has found himself in the wilderness during the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, struggling for game time under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Since the Moroccan tactician took the helm at the start of the campaign, the highly-rated forward has been starved of minutes, often relegated to late second-half cameos despite his proven scoring pedigree.

The Attacking Conundrum at Pirates

Ouaddou has preferred a rotation of Evidence Makgopa, Yanela Mbuthuma, and Boitumelo Radiopane to lead the line. However, the numbers suggest a lack of clinical edge in Mabasa’s absence.

Evidence Makgopa has five Premiership goals, with Yanela Mbuthuma netting four Premiership goals, while Boitumelo Radiopane is yet to find the net this season

Despite this scoring drought, Pirates made the shock decision to loan Mabasa—their leading marksman over the last two campaigns—to Stellenbosch FC during the January window.

The move came at a bittersweet moment for the “goal poacher.” With 50 goals in Black and White, Mabasa is just eight strikes away from equalling the legendary Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi’s all-time club record of 58. For now, that history-making pursuit is on ice.

Addressing the tactical shift that led to Mabasa’s exit, Ouaddou emphasised a move away from traditional “box-strikers” toward high-intensity mobility.

“Some people believe that strikers are only here to score; that type of football is over,” Ouaddou explained. “Modern football demands efficiency. You must be mobile and play with or without the ball. Someone who is stagnant cannot play at a high level and cannot fit into my team.”

This philosophy suggests that unless a striker contributes heavily to the defensive press, they may struggle to find a place in the current Buccaneers’ setup.

Agent Speaks: ‘The Ball is in Pirates’ Court’

Speaking to FARPost, Mabasa’s agent, Gary Cassisa, revealed that while the player remains loyal to the club, the hierarchy has yet to show concrete interest in extending his stay. Mabasa’s current contract is set to expire in June 2026.

“Tshegofatso Mabasa hasn’t turned his back on Orlando Pirates. He wants to play for the club, break that record, and possibly retire as a legend,” Cassisa told FARPost. “But should Pirates not make an offer, he would have to consider other options.”

Cassisa noted that the fan support for Mabasa remains massive, but a “market-related offer” is needed to secure his future.

“I know the fans love him; we see the comments every week. He’s eight goals away from history, so he wants to stay. Pirates just need to send an offer, and we’ll consider it.”

Meanwhile, Mabasa continues to let his boots do the talking. He bagged a clinical brace in Stellies’ 2-1 win over Chippa United this past weekend in the league, taking his tally to three goals in just a handful of appearances since his January move.