The battle for the coveted number ten role at Orlando Pirates is
intensifying, raising a critical question: is Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi
doing enough to secure his place in head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s plans?
Maswanganyi was handed a start in the recent goalless draw against
Sekhukhune United, a match where key competitors like Sipho Mbule were
absent and Masindi Nemtajela was suspended. This opportunity arrived amid
growing pressure, following the club’s signing of versatile attacker Andre
de Jong, who is capable of linking midfield and attack.
Despite the chance to impress, Maswanganyi’s performance drew criticism from
some quarters, with observers suggesting he failed to fully stake his claim
against Sekhukhune.
Statistically, the 27-year-old has contributed four goals and two assists in
15 appearances across all competitions this season—a respectable, if not
prolific, return. This output mirrors his career trend; his standout 2023/24
campaign, where he won the Players’ Player of the Season award, yielded 10
goals and 12 assists in 40 games, while the previous season saw him score
seven times in 42 matches.
Former Pirates midfielder Steve Lekoelea has urged supporters to remain
patient and trust in Maswanganyi’s proven quality, despite the team’s
seemingly strong recruitment.
“Performance can go up and down for players. I trust him; I think he will
come back to form,” Lekoelea told PSLSA. “He’s a good player, he is not a
youngster, he’s a strong player with quality. If he can do the right thing
on the field, we will see his best performance.”
Lekoelea, nicknamed ‘Chippa’, emphasized the importance of consistent game
time for the playmaker to regain his sharpness. “He needs more games because
it counts—if you don’t play, match fitness affects you. You have to play at
all times for your form to come back.”
As competition heats up, Maswanganyi faces the dual challenge of
rediscovering his peak form while proving his indispensability to a squad
increasingly brimming with talent.
