Pirates boo boys victim calls for help from PSL clubs

Orlando Pirates striker and boo boys victim Tshegofatsa Mabasa calls on Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs to help the players suffering from criticism.

Mabasa was a victim of the boo boys at Pirates during PSL games including the recent COSAFA Cup tournament in Durban where he had to silence them by scoring crucial goals for Bafana Bafana.

ALSO READ I Underrated Pirates striker making headlines in the Cosafa Cup

The former Bloemfontein Celtic striker spent the previous DStv Premiership campaign on loan at PSL rivals, Sekhukhune United from Pirates, saying being booed leads to mental issues.

PIRATES STRIKER CALLS FOR MENTAL HEALTH HELP FROM PSL

The 26-year-old Pirates hitman, Mabasa made headlines last week when he netted a double to down Eswatini during the regional showpiece.

Speaking after one of the matches where he scored as they lost 2-1 to Zambia on Friday in the semi-finals, Mabasa said players need help from the PSL to face unfair criticism.

ALSO READ I Edson Castillo reveals his promise to Chiefs fans

“In our league currently, I’m afraid to say not at all (we don’t have support) and we’re not even close. It’s something that we really need to improve on,” he told IOL Sport.

“I don’t know who’s going to start it but we need to start somewhere. We need to help our players mentally, physically, and emotionally as well because if you’re not good mentally then you won’t be able to give out the performances people expect.”

The former Phunya Sele Sele star also looked back at seasoned PSL campaigners such as Thamsanqa Gabuza who was often victimised by the fans while at Pirates.

Following a series of insults from the fans, Gabuza vented out in anger as he responded, an action that also attracted Steve Komphela’s intervention to support the former Golden Arrows striker.

ALSO READ I Former Chiefs skipper reveals interest from PSL sides

VICTIM TO REMAIN STRONG DESPITE BEING BOOED IN PSL

After netting goals for the Mayfair-based Pirates in the 2021/22 PSL season, the Free State-born goal poacher and victim faces an uncertain future following what many can call an unsuccessful loan spell at Babina Noko.

Nicknamed ‘Sniper’, Mabasa has netted three goals in his last two games for Bafana, after an indifferent showing in his first game in the competition.

“We are used to it by now and it happens quite a lot and it’s very important how you react to it. It happened to [Thamsanqa] Gabuza when he was at Pirates also [Kingston] Nkatha and not only strikers but other players on the pitch as well so we just have to be mentally strong and look ahead,” he added.

As Pirates are in Europe for their pre-season preparations, Mabasa’s future is yet to be decided as it seems he is not in coach Jose Riveiro’s plans.