Tshegofatso Mabasa: Orlando Pirates loan spells made me tough

The 27-year-old initially joined Pirates from the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtics nearly five seasons ago following an impressive spell, in which he managed nine goals in 23 league appearances. 

However, Mabasa soon found himself surplus to requirements at the Soweto outfit and was shipped out to Sekhukhune United and later Moroka Swallows, where his recent loan stint was cut short in January.

The player has for the first time spoken about this sequence of events in his career. 

"I think I can attribute that to my mentality as a player and a person, I mean the experiences I've been through previously at Sekhukhune or even at Pirates before, the more you go through these things, the stronger you become," said Mabasa.

"I believe I've become a lot more stronger than what I was back when I [started] at Pirates – mentally, especially. I've been working on myself physically and emotionally as well.

"Because these are important elements and factors that you need to be good at in order for you to deliver on a weekly basis for the club."

Prior to Swallows being in complete disarray and forcing a few players to look for greener pastures, Mabasa was the club’s leading marksman with six goals from 15 matches in all competitions. 

He believes he has proven once again why he is capable of continuing the hot streak at Pirates under coach Jose Riveiro.

"Obviously I was a bit disappointed being sent out on loan [again], but I didn't look down; I picked my head up and said, look, this is another chance to prove myself and what I'm capable of – and I believe I've done that in the first half of the season," he said.

"Hopefully I can continue in the second half and deliver for the Mighty Buccaneers."

READ: Riveiro identifies Pirates immaturity as cause for inconsistency