The 27-year-old made his first start at Orlando Stadium and put in an impressive performance capped off by an assist for Kermit Erasmus' hat-trick goal.
"I was happy to finally get a chance to start for my team. I was actually given my first opportunity to start this season when we played Mounana away in Gabon, which was a real honour for me but to start at home in front of our supporters, it was a very special moment," he tells the club's website.
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"I guess it was emotional because going into the match I felt it was a life-or-death situation for me. I knew that if I played badly people would criticise me and say I was sidelined because I did not deserve to play, but if I played well I know the comments would be positive like why have I not been playing before or when am I going to play next. Therefore I felt I was playing for my future at Pirates."
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The former Golden Arrows man reveals that club chairman Irvin Khoza has been very influential in his hardworking approach to the game.
"I would like to thank the chairman for that, he made me understand the game by pointing out my strengths and weaknesses. He explained that he acquired my services because I am tall, physical, I drop deep to collect the ball and that I am full of energy," he says.
"So when I played I tried to incorporate all of the above. When we had possession I was always thinking how can I use it best to benefit the team and when we lost possession I was hustling to win the ball back because I understood that it’s about the team and my job was to try and contribute positively to help the team archive its goal of winning the match."
Gabuza was delighted to start alongside Erasmus and believes they have a good understanding on the pitch.
“Look, it all starts from training. I have always wanted to play with Kermit because we communicate well and we understand each other’s style of play. I have always thought that should we get a chance to play together then people might see the positive side of Thamsanqa Gabuza," he adds.