JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 04: Tshegofatso Mabasa of Swallows during the DStv Premiership match between Moroka Swallows and Chippa United at Dobsonville Stadium on October 04, 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)
Moroka Swallows head coach Steve Komphela says he is not “shocked” by Tshegofatso Mabasa’s scoring form and compared his qualities to that of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
Mabasa is currently the leading goal-scorer in the league with six goals from seven starts and one substitute appearance for the Birds.
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The 27-year-old’s career was in decline after his parent club Orlando Pirates sent him on loan to Sekhukhune United last season, where he scored only two goals in 18 league appearances.
Swallows signed Mabasa on loan from the Buccaneers at the beginning of the season and reunited him with his former coach Komphela.
The former Kaizer Chiefs head coach says having worked with Mabasa at Bloemfontein Celtic, he always knew what qualities he possesses and says he has a strikers’ instinct that can only be found in special strikers like Haaland.
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“What is happening to Mabasa will shock those who have not been tracking him. The guy has got unbelievable strikers quality, he’s got brains for it, he’s got instincts for it and above all, he smells where the ball is going to drop,” Komphela told journalists at the Carling Black Label Knockout Cup launch.
“And those can only be found in special players designated for that special position. You don’t go to school and learn about that, where the ball is going to drop?
“Tell me, how does Haaland learn where the ball is gonna drop? How does he learn that this one I’m taking first-time? How does he learn that if I go this way, the defender is going to open the legs and put it (past him)? Mabasa has those (qualities),” he said.
“But who knew about it? Those who worked with him (before). Who does not know about it? Those who never had an opportunity to interact with him,” he added.
Swallows have been drawn against Richards Bay away in the Carling Knockout Cup last 16 tie.
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