COACH of Stellenbosch FC, Gavin Hunt, has spoken out against Orlando Pirates chef Abdeslam Ouaddou for the lack of tactics to use striker Tshegofatso Mabasa in different ways.
Mabasa was loaned by Pirates to Stellenbosch in January, until the end of the 2025/2026 season.
Among the reasons that were at the forefront of the loan of this unquestionable striker, his ability to hit the net was that Ouaddou cannot use strikers who are waiting for the ball. Instead, he wants the defenders in front to start the ball back.
Before leaving for Pirates, Mabasa scored four goals in nine games. Although his numbers were good, it was clear that Ouaddou believes in using Yanela Mbuthuma and Evidence Makgopa.
Since arriving at the Stellies, he has scored three goals. Last weekend, he scored two goals in a 2-0 win over Chippa United in the Betway Premiership. With this, the Stellies have moved up to ninth place.
“It is impossible that a striker of the best type like Mabasa will never leave the team because there is no way to use him,” said Hunt after Ouaddou.
“I agree that he is not the type of stopper because we don’t use him like that, but I wouldn’t let him go because I know that if you give him the ball in the right place, it will definitely hit the net.
“He has the ability to play in all ways, as long as you give him the ball to do what he was meant to do (scoring goals).”
This speech by Hunt goes to the crowd of Bucs fans who cried when he was on loan.
Mabasa scored 50 goals for Pirates. This makes him eight behind Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi who holds the Zimnyama record with 58. His departure also made the Pirates fans cry as they tried to displace Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of South African football.
In June, Mabasa’s contract with Pirates expires, which may be one of the reasons why Hunt spoke in this way, since the Cape Town team recently revealed that they would like to keep him.