Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer says forward Tshegofatso Mabasa still needs more minutes before being handed a starting role, adding that they are happy bringing him off the bench for impact at the moment.
The forward came on as a sub to score in each of Pirates’ last two DStv Premiership clashes, netting the winner against SuperSport United in the injury time, before another late goal earned his side a 1-1 draw with Baroka this past Saturday.
Speaking after that clash, Zinnbauer admitted the forward needs more minutes but he is pleased with his contributions.
‘I am very happy we have him. Maybe he needs a little bit of time [to play] for 90 minutes,’ Zinnbauer told the media.
‘His condition is very good, he is coming closer to the 90 minutes but at the moment we are very happy we are bringing him in and he is always in the right position and he scored.
‘We are happy about this and I hope he continues like this in the next games and maybe he can play 90 minutes. At the moment I am very happy about him. Last week he was coming from a bad time, from a long time [on the sidelines].
‘That’s what we do this season, we have good players and they need more minutes and they help us. It was the same against Baroka and Mabasa came in and he scored.’
Being in the lineup for more games this campaign would be an improvement for Mabasa, who managed to start just eight league games in 22 in his past debut season for Pirates.
Mabasa’s two goals have come from the 38 minutes he was on the pitch so far this season.
It is yet to be seen if Zinnbauer will hand him a full game when they visit Cape Town City for Saturday’s league showdown.
With Frank Mhango back from injury and Zakhele Lepasa also in good form, Zinnbauer could be facing a possible headache on who to start up front.
If DR Congo striker Jean-Marc Makusu obtains his work permit, it would further provide a selection puzzle for the German.
When Mhango and Mabasa were injured, Lepasa was deployed as a lone striker and never showed any signs of struggling.
