ALTHOUGH reports indicate that the contract of Orlando Pirates striker Tsegofatso Mabasa will not be renewed, his close colleague Makhehleni Makhaula is still holding on to the hope that the striker may return.
Mabasa and Olisah Ndah were released by Pirates and joined Stellenbosch FC in January. Mabasa has been loaned out and Ndah has been fully released.
Mabasa, who will be on the books of Pirates until the end of June, is eight goals short of breaking the record for most goals for Bucs, which was set by Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi in 2007.
Despite this, the reports that have spread to all experts indicate that Mabasa will not get the chance to fulfill this dream because Pirates will not renew his contract.
This news must not go down well with Makhaula who is still hoping that Mabasa will return to Pirates one day.
Makhaula (36) who is also unclear about his future in the Pirates as his contract ends on the last day of this month, spoke to the Pirates’ milestone, the Bucs Camp, which is shown in episodes on television these days.
“I wish that Mabasa returns to Pirates one day even though I understand that this is beyond my and his power,” said Makhaula who showed signs of being affected when he talked about Mabasa’s condition.
“I worked a lot with Mabasa until he became more than a partner but he became like a brother. He is the type of person who is always willing to listen to the problems of others and if anything needs to be done, he is the first.
“He was very helpful to the younger players, so his departure left a hole for me and others, although I can’t speak for them.
“What I wish for is that one day he returns to this club because I know how much he loves him and how much he wishes for it.
“And Ndah I miss him in the team since he is one of the players who welcomed me with open arms when I arrived at Pirates.”