Striker Mabasa believes Pirates can build on their recent successes

Tshegofatso Mabasa is optimistic that the Buccaneers can continue to challenge for, and win, silverware despite the exit of coach José Riveiro. By Yanga Sibembe

- By Yanga Sibembe

The power dynamics may have shifted in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) era as Mamelodi Sundowns have grown to dwarf Soweto sides Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs through their league success. But South African households, regardless of where they are located, have traditionally supported either the Buccaneers or Amakhosi.

It is also true that a number of players now plying their trade in the PSL grew up in these households, pledging early allegiance to either Chiefs or Pirates. This is especially true for the professionals born in the 1980s and 1990s.

Take Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa. Born in October 1996 in the township of Botshabelo, just outside Bloemfontein, Mabasa is a staunch Pirates supporter. It has been this way since he was a youngster, despite most of his family members being Chiefs supporters.

He may have dreamt of wearing the black kit of the Sea Robbers while growing up, but the path to a professional soccer career is a saturated one. Breaking into professional sport, especially in a country as unequal as South Africa, can transform families.

As such, the odds of Mabasa becoming a professional soccer player and playing for the club of his childhood dreams were minuscule. Yet here he is. Last season his goals helped Pirates clinch the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup trophies under the guidance of Spanish coach José Riveiro. Pirates' bounty this season was leaner, with them only defending the MTN8 and relinquishing the Cup.

Pirates set a new club record of 19 wins in a single PSL campaign. In 2003, 18 wins resulted in them claiming the league title, but in 2025 they finished second to Sundowns for the third successive year.