Mabasa arrives in Morocco for Maghreb de Fes switch

South African striker Tshegofatso John Mabasa has arrived in Morocco to complete his move to Maghreb de Fes, with the club preparing to make him their first foreign signing of the summer transfer window.

The 29-year-old travelled to Morocco after lengthy negotiations with officials at the Moroccan champions, according to Moroccan website Sport7. His arrival allows Maghreb de Fes to take the next steps towards finalising a deal designed to strengthen their attack before the start of the new season.

Mabasa is expected to undergo a medical examination before signing his contract. Maghreb de Fes are waiting to complete those formalities before making the transfer official.

If the move is concluded as expected, Mabasa will become the first overseas player to join the club during the current summer window. His arrival is also intended to fill the gap left by Moroccan forward Soufiane Benjedida, who recently moved to Egyptian club Al Ahly.

Maghreb de Fes are rebuilding their squad after several foreign players departed. Among those to leave are Mauritanian midfielder Issa Mubarak and Botswana international Kabelo Seakanyeng, increasing the need for the club to add fresh options ahead of the coming campaign.

Mabasa arrives with a strong reputation from South African football. He impressed for Stellenbosch FC last season and also represented the club in the CAF Confederation Cup, giving him experience of football beyond the domestic league.

The forward has also previously played for Orlando Pirates. That spell, combined with his time at Stellenbosch FC, has provided him with both domestic and continental experience which Maghreb de Fes hope will improve their attacking options next season.

The Moroccan club have not yet formally announced the transfer, with the medical and contract signing still to be completed. However, Mabasa’s arrival marks a significant step towards securing the deal and beginning Maghreb de Fes’ summer recruitment programme.

The move would give the club a replacement for Benjedida while also adding a striker familiar with high-level competition in southern Africa. Maghreb de Fes are seeking to reshape their squad after the departures of a number of overseas players, and Mabasa is set to become the first part of that process.

His expected signing would also represent the club’s first foreign recruitment of the current transfer window, as Maghreb de Fes prepare their squad for the new season.