Jose Riveiro on Tshegofatso Mabasa – ‘He helps us play better’

Mabasa is now the joint leading goal scorer in the DStv Premiership alongside Lucas Costa of Mamelodi Sundowns having found the back of the net three times in The Buccaneers’ 7-1 rout of Golden Arrows.

Riveiro praised the forward’s overall influence since returning from his loan spell at Moroka Swallows during the first half of the season.

"If now we speak about positions like Tshego's position which is almost like a specialist. Even though now the role of the striker and the goalkeeper is much more bigger than before, they have to contribute and do a lot of things. Like I said a few weeks ago, Tshego like all the other players, like all the other strikers in the squad is a player that helped the team to play better, first of all,” Riveiro said.

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Mabasa managed six goals for Swallows in what was already turning out to be a good season for the ex-Bloemfontein Celtic striker.

Riveiro agrees the 27-year-old, who has added four more to his league tally, thrives on regular game time.

"He has also the capacity to score goals like the rest of our strikers. So, absolutely yes to answer your question but again, confidence, continuity, having the opportunity to repeat a starting 11 like today [Saturday] that we could play nine players coming from the Swallows game. It will always help to find a better chemistry is the word on the field and today [Saturday] is a good example of that," the coach explained.

The loan move to Swallows was Mabasa’s second since signing for Pirates in 2019, however, he was a bit part player at Sekhukhune United.

Riveiro argues no player can be at their best if sidelined.

"Like every other I mean confidence and continuity it's key in order to perform. Sometimes we are not really fair when we give one game in isolation for one player, it's not going to tell the truth about the player. First of all, playing regularly means the confidence is on you from everyone around."