Head coach Jose Riveiro has revealed what has been key behind the scoring form of striker Tshegofatso Mabasa, who bagged a hattrick during Orlando Pirates' 7-1 hammering of Lamontville Golden Arrows.
The Buccaneers returned to winning form in thrilling fashion thanks to a Mabasa hattrick, while Kabelo Dlamini, Sandile Mthethwa, Karim Kimvuidi and Relebohile Mofokeng also grabbed one goal each to add to the eye-watering scoreline.
READ | Mabasa: I came back to Pirates to score goals
The trio of goals catapults Mabasa up to the top of the DStv Premiership top scorers list with 10 goals - level with Mamelodi Sundowns' Lucas Riberio.
Mabasa’s overall tally sits at a career-best of 13 goals across all competitions from 23 appearances this season.
Six of his 10 goals came in the colours of Moroka Swallows when he was on loan under the guide of then head coach Steve Komphela, who sat at the opposite dugout on Saturday night as Arrows head coach.
"Like every other player, confidence and continuity is key in order to perform," Riveiro said in the post-match press conference at Orlando Stadium.
"Sometimes we’re not fair when we give one game in isolation, it’s not going to tell you the truth about the player.
"First of all, to play regularly, it means that confidence (trust) is on you, from everyone around you and form in football usually comes from competition. If now we speak positions, like Tshego’s position, which is a specialist, even though now the role of the striker and the goalkeeper is much bigger than before, they have to contribute and do a lot of things.
"And like I said a few weeks ago, Tshego, like all other strikers in the squad, is a player that helps the team play better.
"He also has the capacity to score goals like the rest of our strikers. So, absolutely yes, to answer your question.
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?? 11’ GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAL!!!
— kudus szn ?? (@kar_abelo) April 7, 2024
A classic poacher’s goal from Tshegofatso Mabasa, who is on hand to collect the rebound and turn the ball into the net after Makhehlene Makhaula forces a save from the keeper. https://t.co/Do61IWr9uI pic.twitter.com/DX7x9uVRPl
"But again, confidence and continuity, having the opportunity to repeat in the starting XI, or close to repeating the starting XI like today, will always help us find between chemistry on the field and today was a good example of that."
The 27-year-old will have another chance to add to his tally when Pirates take on AmaZulu FC in the Nedbank Cup on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Kick-off is at 18:00.
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