Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa snubbed by Bafana coach Hugo Broos. Image: Cosafa Media
Bafana’s prelim squad: Pirates teenager in, no space for Mabasa
Orlando Pirates in-form striker Tshegofatso Mabasa was not named in Bafana squad but his teammate Evidence Makgopa made it to the list.
Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa snubbed by Bafana coach Hugo Broos. Image: Cosafa Media
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has omitted Orlando Pirates in-form striker Tshegofatso Mabasa from his preliminary squad for the World Cup qualifiers.
The 26-year-old forward has netted 15 goals this current campaign making him the leading goalscorer in the DStv Premiership. Mabasa scored six goals in the first half of the season for Moroka Swallows while on loan. With the Buccaneers struggling for goals, they had to recall the red-hot goal poacher to help get their season on track. The former Bloemfontein Celtic man did not disappoint, netting nine times in 11 matches for Pirates.
When Bafana coach announced his squad, fans expected Mabasa to be one of the first names. The 72-year-old coach snubbed the striker, opting to pick the likes of Devin Titus and Evidence Makgopa. Mabasa has been keeping Makgopa on the beach at Pirates and him not making the Bafana team will infuriate supporters.
Bafana play Nigeria and Zimbabwe next month as they look to book a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Safa announced that the home match between Bafana Bafana and Zimbabwe would be played in 18:00 instead of 19:30.
“We wanted the game to kick off at 19h30 because this is the traditional start of late matches in South Africa, and given that it is a midweek match, it accommodates those who are coming from work and have other engagements,” said CEO Lydia Monyepao.
Pirates attacker Mabasa snubbed by Bafana Bafana coach
“But ultimately we were given a 6pm kick off and the decision is final. So, the match between Bafana Bafana and Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 11 June 2024 will kick off at 18h00.
We call upon all fans to fill up the stadium and support the boys, make sure that they feel the love when they play their first match at home since the Bronze medal achievement at the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire a few weeks ago,” she said.
Young Mofokeng named in Bafana’s prelim squad
Bafana currently lies second in the group with just four points from two games. A shock loss to Rwanda last year made the two upcoming matches ‘must-win games’. Although Mabasa was not selected, Pirates teammate Relebohile Mofokeng(19) was named in the Bafana prelim squad. The teenager has been sublime for the Buccaneers this season. Broos will announce his final 23-man squad in the next week or two.
