Squad adjustments ahead of the 2026/27 season are officially underway. Orlando Pirates announced the departure of multiple players on Tuesday. Among the exits is striker Tshegofatso Mabasa, who shared a touching message regarding his exit.
Reflected Journey of Eight Years
The forward spent the second half of the 2025/26 season on loan at Stellenbosch FC. Following his permanent departure, he expressed his gratitude on social media.
Mabasa reflected on entering the club eight years ago at Rand Stadium with just a dream. He stated he leaves the institution with immense pride. He also thanked the team for the chance to be part of its history.
A Look Back at Key Achievements
The departure of a long-serving player often highlights an era of transition for a football club. Squad renewals are standard procedure during the pre-season phase to maintain competitiveness.
In his message, the player thanked teammates, coaches, and staff members. He listed several memorable milestones from his tenure. These moments included:
- The 3-Peat achievement in Durban.
- The 2023/24 Golden Boot award.
- Consecutive success in Mbombela.
- A memorable match night in Cairo.
- Ending the league drought.
- Reaching his 50th goal to become the second highest all-time goal scorer for the club.
The striker concluded by thanking the supporters for their belief and extended well wishes for the future success of the team.
According to facts reported by kickoff.com, these changes mark the beginning of squad adjustments for the upcoming football calendar. For ongoing updates on team movements, readers can visit the bettors.co.za news section.