Sunderland have set their sights on Orlando Pirates’ Tshegofatso Mabasa, according to Soccer Laduma in South Africa.
The striker joined Orlando Pirates in 2019 and was on loan at Sekhukhune United and Moroka Swallows in the past two seasons. Since returning to his parent club, Mabasa has managed 13 goals and an assist from 36 games this season.
Soccer Laduma earlier reported an unnamed Championship club were looking at the 28-year-old. They have now found out from a source that Sunderland are interested in him.
A source has told the outlet that Sunderland are also interested in his teammate, Thalente Mbatha. The Black Cats sent a scout to follow the 25-year-old midfielder and that’s when the official noticed Mabasa.
‘It’s the same club interested in another Pirates player, Thalente Mbatha. It’s believed that when the scouts came to look at Mbatha they were also happy with Mabasa, and they had to assess him further in other games and apparently, they were happy, and they have enquired about him. So, Sunderland are the club interested in Tshegofatso Mabasa,’ a source said.
The report makes it clear that Sunderland’s interest in the attacker is ‘still in the early stages’.
Régis Le Bris’ side have concerns over Mabasa obtaining a work permit due to his failure to feature regularly for the national team.
He made his debut for South Africa in August 2017 and played one more game for his country against Ethiopia in October 2021. Another source has told Soccer Laduma that it won’t be easy for Mabasa to secure a work permit to play in the UK.
‘The interest is there. There has been an enquiry, but the lack of national team caps could work against him. You know in the UK you should play a certain number of national team games for you to qualify for their work permit and other things. It’s apparently true the interest is there from Sunderland, but will he qualify for that? That’s where the problem could be,’ another source said.
Mbatha, meanwhile, made his debut for South Africa in September 2024 and played five games for them so far. It’s unclear if Sunderland will make an offer for the midfielder.
