The departure of former Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro could revive the fortunes of the club's leading goal-scorer.
Tshegofatso Mabasa ended the 2023/24 season as Pirates' leading goal-scorer (including goals scored at Moroka Swallows on loan), after netting 19 goals in 33 matches.
However, that was not enough for Riveiro to make him the first choice striker, with Evidence Makgopa, on the back of only six goals in comparison preferred.
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In spite of playing second-fiddle to the former Baroka striker at The Buccaneers, the former Bloemfontein Celtic forward has retained the honour of being the leading goal-scorer at the club, currently with 15 goals, five ahead of Makgopa.
Ahead of the new campaign, Mabasa could be looking forward to a change of fortunes, as Pirates legend Benedict 'Tso' Vilakazi rates him highly.
"The issue of Mabasa, I've been talking about it and I don't care who says what. That boy can score! Give him the service, he will show you what he can do," Vilakazi said on omniaudioafrica YouTube Channel.
"Look at the header in that game (against Chiefs), he nearly scored. It tells you about him but obviously it's up to the coach, if the coach does not believe in you, obviously you'll always come late in games," Vilakazi added.
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Mabasa has started only one big game for Pirates this season, as he came off the bench to rescue the MTN8 trophy with the goal that made it 2-1 in added time in the final against Stellenbosch.
The 28-year-old played the last 21 minutes in The Buccaneers' 4-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns and was an unused substitute in a 2-1 win in the reverse against the champions.
The former Swallows forward watched the full match on the bench when Pirates beat Chiefs 2-1 in the league two weeks ago, although he started in the first league meeting the The Ghosts won 1-0.
Mabasa had to settle for 28 minutes in the Nedbank Cup final against Amakhosi.
The Botshabelo native striker has been called up to Bafana Bafana squad only once since Hugo Broos took over, back in October 2021, even though he boasts 34 goals in two seasons so far.
