Mabasa eyes club record as Pirates plot Sundowns' downfall

Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa says his side will need a shift in mindset if they are to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns, who have dominated the league for the past eight seasons.

Pirates appear best placed to have another strong campaign, having emerged as the side most likely to challenge Sundowns after addressing the loose ends — with new player additions set to strengthen the squad this season.

The Buccaneers are returning to the CAF Champions League, but with the league title also a major priority — having missed out for over a decade — consistency will be key in achieving their targets.

Mabasa, who has been crucial for the Soweto giants over the past three seasons, believes the team needs to adopt the right mentality to overcome what has become a well-oiled Sundowns machine.

“We know we are up against a points machine, it’s very rare for them to slip up in the league. Mabasa said at the premier of his sides documentary series Giants.

“That is the sort of mentality that we also have to develop as a team, we saw what happened last season, we won the first seven games and then we lost against Stellenbosch FC, and then the gap started to open up at three points.”

The Sea Robbers started strongly last season but struggled to maintain the level of consistency needed to go toe-to-toe with the Brazilians. Mabasa added that they must shut down areas of weakness and be more consistent by learning from their past failures.

“We tried to play catch up as much as possible, but unfortunately it didn’t happen even though we had the games in hand but this season it’s all about trying to be consistent in terms of winning as many games as possible.

“It’s normal to have a loss in a season because that is when you get to see the mistakes you’re making and you’re able to learn and correct them, hopefully it happens in a not so important game or it’s mistakes we can recover from and not ones that will be detrimental to our season like the ones we made last season.”

The Buccaneers striker didn’t get as much game time as he would have liked — especially after winning the golden boot the season prior — with strong competition from teammate Evidence Makgopa limiting his minutes on the field.

Despite limited appearances, the 28-year-old made an impact when called upon and enters the new season in high spirits, hoping for more regular involvement.

Mabasa is also closing in on club legend Benedict Vilakazi’s all-time top scorer mark, as he currently stands on 46 goals — just six behind Vilakazi’s tally of 52 — a milestone he hopes to reach early this season.

“I am looking to have a big season,” Mabasa continued. “I think I am10 or 11 goals away and I want to achieve that record before the AFCON starts.

“It’s possible, we have five games in August, six with the MTN8, so I don’t see why not. I don’t see pressure, it’s about speaking things into existence and into life, and they will happen.”