Head coach Musa Nyatama admitted that his side had to formulate a strategy to stop in-form striker Tshegofatso Mabasa as Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates played to a stalemate on Wednesday night.
The Dube Birds held Pirates to a 1-1 draw at Dobsonville Stadium as Lindokuhle Mtshali’s first-half opener was cancelled out by Patrick Maswanganyi’s equaliser in the second half.
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In the battle to avoid relegation, Swallows will be partly pleased to have snatched a point off a Pirates side touted as favourites ahead of the encounter, in the process managing to silence the Sea Robbers' dangerman Mabasa, who was unable to make his mark in the match.
The 27-year-old had started the season in Swallows colours on loan from Pirates and was the club’s top scorer before being recalled by his parent club.
Prior to Saturday’s match, Mabasa had already netted five goals across all competitions for Bucs since returning from his loan spell and was on the score sheet in the prior outing against Sekhukhune United.
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— Sahil Ebrahim (@sahil_e_) April 3, 2024
Another contentious decision going against Orlando Pirates. ????
Tshegofatso Mabasa goes down but the referee waves play on! ??
Score remains....
Morkoa Swallows ?? 1-1 ????Orlando Pirates pic.twitter.com/vjS5mvwETa
Speaking to journalists at the post-match press conference, Nyatama admitted that a strategy had been formulated to 'shut down' Mabasa.
"Yeah, look, we were aware of Mabasa," Nyatama admitted.
"He is a lethal striker and a very good striker, one of the top strikers in the country. We needed to shut him down.
"We know how he plays, we’ve been with him for six months, so we had to shut down.
"He’s been scoring for Orlando Pirates, so yes, we needed to shut him down."
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The draw leaves Pirates fourth on the DStv Premiership table, 10 points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Swallows, meanwhile, sit 13th, five points below Kaizer Chiefs, who are eighth.
Mabasa will hope to get back on the score sheet when Pirates host Lamontville Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
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