Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi. Image: @Ndobe_Bibow/X
Orlando Pirates star was rejected FOUR times before signing first pro deal
It wasn’t always straightforward for the man of the moment.
Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi. Image: @Ndobe_Bibow/X
Orlando Pirates signing Patrick Maswanganyi is enjoying a rich vein of form, but the road to the top has been a winding one.
BAFANA SKIPPER WILLIAMS CONVINCED SUPERSPORT TO SIGN MASWANGANYI
Maswanganyi has not looked back since, amassing 11 goal contributions and six man of the match awards in 29 matches. He with him slowly gaining cult hero status at Pirates, he is becoming a completely different player to his SuperSport United version. But for many, that’s where they first heard his name and saw him play. According to FARPost, Bafana Bafana skipper Ronwen Williams played a key role in Maswanganyi’s start in the game after a rocky initial period.
“At one stage he (Maswanganyi) also started doubting himself because of the rejections. When he came back we took him to Cape Town City and he spent two weeks with them. They didn’t see anything, we took him to Swallows, and Brandon Truter never saw anything. We took him to SuperSport and he spent a year without playing. Every day he never absconded from training. He went there for training without fail. You know who pleaded with Stan Matthews? It was Ronwen Williams, he begged Stan to sign him. Ronwen could see he wasn’t just an ordinary player. At SuperSport they weren’t sure about him.” said commentator Arnold Rankoko to the publication.
Main man for Orlando Pirates
Since becoming a Buccaneer, Patrick Maswanganyi has markedly increased his output in front of goal and has been called up for Bafana Bafana. He’s got 12 direct goal contributions this term in 29 appearances and is a key member of the starting XI. This form has attracted a few glances from Europe, according to reports.
CHIEFS AND PIRATES BATTLE FOR IVORIAN STAR
According to Soccer-Laduma, Kaizer Chiefs want to sign Ivorian star Freddy Michael Kouablan. However, they face competition from Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates for the Simba striker. The 25-year-old is well-travelled after club stints in Zambia, Angola and Mauritius. He’s also made two appearances in this season’s CAF Champions League.
“Yes, it’s true it is the same player that Pirates have been monitoring. That was when he was still in Zambia, but he moved to Tanzania in January. Chiefs are also believed to have shown interest and enquired about him. He is a very good striker and I believe he can fit in any team that could get him. So for now, both teams have shown interest in him (Kouablan).” said a source who also believes Simba are willing to sell.
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