Orlando Pirates striker, the DStv Premiership's top goal scorer, Tshegofatso Mabasa, has been notably absent from Hugo Broos' preliminary Bafana Bafana squad of 36 players, set to prepare for the upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
Despite netting 16 goals in 26 league matches this season, Mabasa remains philosophical about his exclusion, emphasizing his commitment to his club and the upcoming Nedbank Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns.
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During a press conference at Orlando Stadium, Mabasa addressed the media, sharing his thoughts on the selection process and his focus on club duties.
"Honestly it's disappointing. Everyone wants to play for their national. But there is nothing I can do. The coach has made his decision and I have to live with that. My duty is to play for Orlando Pirates and give my best. If I have the chance to score I will continue doing that. That's my duty as a striker to make sure that when I get the chance I score," Mabasa expressed, highlighting his professional approach to the situation. Drawing parallels with Themba Zwane's past experiences, Mabasa pointed out the unpredictable nature of national team selections.
"You know the coach knows what he is doing. You remember it happened with Mshishi (Themba Zwane). He was not called to the national team when he was playing very well at Sundowns but now he is called to almost every camp. So the coach has his reasons and I respect that. For now I will just continue doing my best for my club," Mabasa said, showing respect for the coach's decisions while maintaining his focus on contributing to Pirates.
As the Nedbank Cup final looms, Mabasa and his teammates are gearing up for a challenging match against Sundowns, with a high spirit and determination to defend their title.
"We are ready for the finals. The spirit and morale in the camp is high. We are the defending champions and we want to keep the trophy here. We all know it won't be an easy game considering that we are playing against a very good team in Mamelodi Sundowns but all we want to do is win this trophy and give our supporters something at the end of the season," Mabasa concluded, underscoring the team's ambition to end the season on a high note.
Mabasa's professional demeanor in the face of his Bafana omission and his unwavering commitment to Pirates exemplify the striker's resilience and focus. As the Nedbank Cup final approaches, his leadership and goal-scoring prowess will be crucial for the Buccaneers as they aim to secure their second piece of silverware this season.
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