Dubbed the best DStv Premier League player of the year, Orlando Pirates star Patrick Maswanganyi has won big with the Soweto giants despite almost quitting football.
Rumour mill has it that he once went through a rough patch and thought of calling it quits. However, years later, he is one of the biggest ballers in the league currently.
LEAVING EUROPE AFTER THREE SEASONS
However, where was Patrick Maswanganyi before joining SuperSport United? The attacking midfielder hails from Tembisa, home to several South African stars.
Over the years, the township north of Kempton Park on the East Rand in Gauteng has produced some of the greatest footballers in the country, including Themba Zwane, Lerato Chabangu, George Maluleka and Thabo Matlaba.
Little is known about his early career, but he was part of the Stars of Africa Football Academy. Surprisingly, the Orlando Pirates had his early career in Portugal for a few seasons before he headed back home.
Before his thrust into the limelight, he played for Oliveirense and Academica in Portugal before joining SuperSport in 2022. However, from SuperSport United, he went on to join Orlando Pirates a year later on a free transfer.
No doubt Patrick Maswanganyi’s move to Orlando Pirates came as a shocker to many. Orlando Pirates fans wanted a big name, but the in-form midfielder has since proven to be the season’s best player.
PATRICK MASWANGANYI’S CURRENT FORM
According to Football Database, the Orlando Pirates star has netted nine goals this season across all competitions. The midfielder has also provided 11 assists in 3 037 minutes played in 36 appearances. He has also won over ten Man of the Match Awards.
His current form has undoubtedly been likened to midfield maestro Themba Zwane. Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named the fleet-footed playmaker one of the best stars.
He also revealed that he might be Themba Zwane’s successor in the national team. His remarks divided fans, with many giving the Orlando Pirates star based on his current form.
Despite Patrick Maswanganyi having grown up idolising Teko Modise, Zwane must be one of the players he currently looks up to. Before his return to South Africa, he hoped to stay in Europe longer, just like any other footballer.
However, in one of his interviews, he revealed that he thought he was not good enough and almost called it quits. He said, “When I came back to South Africa, I had a lot of doubt in myself because I had hoped to play in Europe a bit longer.”
“I was really afraid. I even went to tell my grandmother that I was thinking of quitting because I thought I was not capable of playing good football anymore,” Patrick Maswanganyi added.