Tshegofatso Mabasa hasn’t seen a lot of game time with Orlando Pirates this season. The Betway Premiership summer transfer window is set to open in the next few days, with players largely out of contract or on the fringes seeking new opportunities. That will not be the only factor.
The second half of the season is the final chapter of the campaign, with teams chasing titles, a top-eight finish, or survival from relegation. Clubs will need a strong squad at their disposal. Below, we look at five players who should seek new clubs in the new year to revive their careers.
When the season began, Mabasa was aiming for redemption. He wanted to win his maiden championship and surpass the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi, as he currently sits second on the list. While Pirates are on course to win the title, having ended the first half of the season top of the log, Mabasa’s individual ambitions look bleak.
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Fully fit, he has not been getting game time under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who prefers Yanela Mbuthuma and Evidence Makgopa. Mabasa’s absence from the match-day squad has limited his impact. His skill set — deadly in the box, dangerous from distance, and able to hold up play — has gone largely unused.
Adams arrived at Sundowns amid high expectations, touted as the rightful heir to captain Themba Zwane and the club’s future. However, inconsistency has seen him drop down the pecking order, effectively ending his chances of a Bafana Bafana call-up for the ongoing AFCON — a milestone he certainly hoped to reach. The 24-year-old remains one of the league’s most dynamic and creative midfielders.
With regular game time, he could reignite his spark. Chiefs have struggled in front of goal this season, with strikers missing chances that looked straightforward. Du Preez has been the most notable victim of that trend. He has made intelligent runs both on and off the ball but has lacked the finishing touch in the final third, creating a love-hate relationship with fans.
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