Orlando Pirates playmaker Patrick Maswanganyi has revealed how his move from SuperSport United came about and went under the radar.
The 25-year-old midfielder joined SuperSport United in January for his debut season in the DStv Premiership after four years in Portugal with Oliveirense and Académica U23s.
And the Stars of Africa Academy product immediately turned heads with several industrious displays under Gavin Hunt, most notably for his close control and ability to create chances in an otherwise rigid system as Hunt looked for stability in his first season back at the club.
In his 23 appearances, he registered four assists and Mamelodi Sundowns were said to be monitoring his progress, but Matstsansa were keen on retaining him for the new season.
However, Pirates announced him among four signings last month and he immediately impressed during their pre-season in Spain where he went on to net three goals and earn a place in the starting line-up under Jose Riveiro in the start of the 2023/24 season.
“Look I always wanted to be here but I didn’t think it would happen so soon, I didn’t expect it,” Maswanganyi said when asked about how it happened.
“I didn’t know anything about the move until the last minute I was told I have to come here and I was really happy! My agent Steve [Kapeluschnik], called me in the morning and asked me what I thought about Pirates and I told him I want to go there.
“He told me to think about it, which I did over two days, I called my mom first and then I called Arnold Ranokoko.”
When pressed by iDiski Times why he left SuperSport after just six months at the club, where he was emerging as a key player, he was quite blunt in his explanation.
“I wanted to be in a bigger club and I think being here will help me improve a lot, it suits my style of play and also to learn more,” he said.
“They have great players so I wanted to be in a team where there’s lots of competition and I wanted to play here. At home my grandmother and grandfather support Orlando Pirates, so this is for them.”
He’s now featured in each of the first four games of the season for Pirates, registering two assists so far.
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You can read the extended interview with Maswanganyi in this week’s iDiski Times newspaper, available for free on our website.
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