Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou explains why Tshegofatso Mabasa missed league opener
Left out Orlando Pirates' top goalscorer for the last two seasons, Tshegofatso Mabasa, was absent from the squad in their league loss to Sekhukhune United on Saturday. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has revealed the reason why Tshegofatso Mabasa was absent from their Betway Premiership opener against Sekhukhune United.
Without their top goalscorer for the last two seasons, Pirates struggled in the game played at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening. Despite creating more goalscoring opportunities and dominating for large portions, they were ultimately beaten 1-0.
Immediately after the game, there was talk about Mabasa’s omission. It was the second game in a row that the 28-year-old had been left out of the squad completely.
Speaking after the game, Ouaddou said that Mabasa was available, but they made a choice to start with 22-year-old Boitumelo Radiopane, with 23-year-old Yanela Mbuthuma playing off the bench.
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“…Mabasa is available, it’s a choice that we made, but he is ready and when we call him, I think he will be able to perform and give us the best of him,” Ouaddou said after the game, as quoted by iDiski Times.
“Of course, you can maybe ask some questions [about his exclusion] because the strikers that we used didn’t score, so of course I understand your question. But like I said, we have a lot of players this season and everyone will get their chance at the right moment.”
With the league back in full swing, Pirates will be back in action again on Tuesday when they take on Marumo Gallants at the Dr Rantlai Petrus Stadium in Bloemfontein. And after their stuttering start to the season, Ouaddou might be tempted to start the match with the more experienced Mabasa.
IOL Sport