The race to surpass Benedict ‘Tso’ Vilakazi’s all-time goal-scoring record at Orlando Pirates has garnered attention after Tshegofatso Mabasa’s departure from the club. Mabasa, who recently left the Buccaneers, was poised to challenge Vilakazi’s record before his loan move to Stellenbosch in January 2026.
Tshegofatso Mabasa’s Journey at Orlando Pirates
At the beginning of the 2025/26 season, Mabasa was second on the club’s all-time scoring list. He had previously surpassed renowned players Lesley Manyathela and Phumlani Mkhize, both of whom scored 41 goals during their time with the club. Throughout his tenure, Mabasa scored four goals in the last season, bringing his total tally to 50 goals.
Despite his efforts, Mabasa parted ways with Orlando Pirates after his contract expired and was not renewed. He exited the club just nine goals shy of Vilakazi’s 58 goals, the record he aimed to break.
Relebohile Mofokeng: The Next Contender
As the Pirates gear up for the 2026/27 season, forward Relebohile Mofokeng emerges as a potential successor to Vilakazi’s goal-scoring legacy. Mofokeng, only 21 years old, had his best season to date, netting 11 goals across all competitions. This achievement boosted his total to 29 goals since his promotion to the first team.
Goal-Scoring Milestones
- Mofokeng needs six more goals to surpass Thembinkosi Lorch and Kermit Erasmus, who have 34 goals each.
- He is currently closing in on the top ten all-time goal-scorers for Orlando Pirates.
- The players ranked fifth through tenth on the all-time list are separated by only three goals.
The current standings include notable names such as Steve Lekoelea with 36 goals, Sibusiso Zuma with 37 goals, and Andries Sebola with 38 goals.
As the new season approaches, Mofokeng’s performance will be crucial in determining if he can rewrite Orlando Pirates’ history by challenging Vilakazi’s record. His journey will be one to watch as fans eagerly anticipate who will surpass Vilakazi’s legacy.
