Komphela On Mabasa – I Wish He Scores 30 Goals

Moroka Swallows coach Steve Komphela was impressed with the instant impact made by striker Tshegofatso Mabasa in his first outing for the Dube Birds.

Komphela said that is what strikers are signed for as he scored against Golden Arrows in their 1-1 draw, having worked with him at Bloemfontein Celtic in the 2018/19 season.  

Mabasa joined Swallows on loan from Orlando Pirates, with the move being on and off as talks went back and forth.

But in his first outing, Mabasa, having come on from the bench, he cushioned a nice header in the 77th minute, where Swallows were on the jaws of a loss after Abafana Bes’Thende had taken a lead also in the second half.

“I’m happy for Mabasa because goal scorers must understand that when they get hired, when they get opportunities to play at the football club it is to score goals,” said Komphela.

“It starts now. If he scores a goal a match, he will end up with 30 at the end of the season. I wish him well, I wish he stays injury free. But his contribution is quite significant.”

Mabasa did not have much of a rest as others as he was part of the Bafana Bafana squad that claimed the bronze medal at the COSAFA Cup, and individually, it was good for him as he claimed the joint-top scorer award in the regional tournament.

So while other players are missing match-fitness, Mabasa collected his at the COSAFA squad, which coach Komphela agreed on.

“Maybe the beauty is that he was playing in the COSAFA,” said Komphela, who was appointed by Swallows during the pre-season.

“He comes in when at the moment everybody else is starting their game, the legs are not there and all that. And then he ticks [that box], you could see.

“I’m reluctant to mention this one, but I’m tempted to say, could there have been a penalty [when Mabasa appeared to be clipped down]?

“I thought there was a touch, they were legs between and he went down and give it, it is two goals. Listen, who scored two goals in the first game of the season?”   

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In that 2018/19 season, it was Mabasa’s personal best, scoring nine league goals in 23 league appearances, triggering Pirates to sign him at the end of that term.

Komphela, despite having started that season, his stint was cut short as he complained about his time at Celtic before resigning.

“I told him then to say, listen, you have a bright future,” recalled Komphela.

“Looking at how you pass the ball, how you hit the ball, you are going to make a prolific goal scorer. Go ask him. I said to him then and I’m not surprised that we met here, I’m not surprised that it happened even with the COSAFA and we can only wish him well. It is all about opportunities given, opportunities taken.”

Swallows next host Cape Town City at Dobsonville Stadium on Wednesday (15:00).