Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa has issued a warning to Jwaneng Galaxy coach Morena Ramoreboli ahead of their CAF Champions League clash.
The two sides will meet in the second preliminary round first leg on Saturday, 14 September, at the Botswana National Stadium. Pirates are aiming to avenge their elimination by Galaxy in the same stage last season.
Ezimnyama Ngenkani will be hoping to get revenge this time around after Galaxy eliminated them in the same stage last season.
Ramoreboli, who has coached many of Pirates' players, recently suggested that his knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses could work in his favour.
However, Mabasa, a former Ramoreboli protégé, has responded by saying the match will not unfold as Ramoreboli hopes.
He emphasised that tactics, rather than personal familiarity, will determine the outcome.
MABASA’S MESSAGE TO JWANENG COACH AHEAD OF CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TIE
“Yes I had the opportunity to work with coach Morena from development at Celtic and in the COSAFA team last year as well,” said Mabasa.
“He’s a coach that I know quite well and obviously he knows me as a player. But this is a completely different phase.
“I’ve grown as a player, there’s a lot more tactics involved. The game won’t be the way that you expect.
“You can study all you want but what happens on the day it’s entirely up to the player himself and the tactics on the day.
“So, we’re not really worried about that. We will go out there and give it our all.”
Mabasa also praised Ramoreboli for transforming Galaxy into a formidable force both domestically and continentally.
“Coach Morena is not anyone I’ve doubted before, I’ve always believed that he’s a good coach,” he added.
“He just needed to be given an opportunity. I think Jwaneng did that and they’re reaping the rewards of his hard work.”
