The calls are getting louder: Orlando Pirates‘ Patrick Maswanganyi for Player of the Season. What does Jose Riveiro say?
ORLANDO PIRATES: PATRICK MASWANGANYI FOR PLAYER OF THE SEASON?
According to most conversation across social media, Maswanganyi will be due the Player of the Season away in June.
“I think people are in love with him, who am I to say who people should love or identify as the player of the season,” said Riveiro via FARPost.
“The South African football fans have a good taste about football. They know the football they want to see. And let’s see, like I said in the end it’s important that the team is getting good results and good performances within that individuals shine.
“He’s a clear candidate but let’s see,” the Orlando Pirates mentor concluded.
MAN OF THE MATCH AWARDS
According to Unplayable, the award was his ninth of the season, with two awards coming in the Nedbank Cup tournament. In teams of goal contributions, the Orlando Pirates star from Tembisa, Gauteng has delivered nine goals and 10 assists.
Full list of Man of the Match competitors:
DStv Premiership:
7- Patrick Maswanganyi – Orlando Pirates
5 – Ismaël Toure – Stellenbosch FC
4 – Elias Mokwana – Sekhukhune United
4 – Goodman Mosele – Chippa United.
All Competitions:
9 – Patrick Maswanganyi – Orlando Pirates
5 – Ismaël Toure – Stellenbosch FC
4 – Elias Mokwana – Sekhukhune United
4 – Goodman Mosele – Chippa United
4 – Khanyisa Mayo – Cape Town City
4 – Thembinkosi Lorch – Mamelodi Sundowns
4 – Mpho Mvelase – TS Galaxy
4 – Jamie Webber – Sekhukhune United.
HARRY GWALA STADIUM PRAISE
Staying with Orlando Pirates and Maswanganyi, the Tembisa-born player’s name was sung in Pietermaritzburg after Sunday’s 4-0 win over Royal AM.
With the ambitions for that second-place finish ahead of Stellenbosch FC, the Sea Robbers travelled to KwaZulu Natal on Sunday. The Orlando Pirates side sealed a 4-0 job over Thwihli Thwahla, thanks to goals from Patrick Maswanganyi, Thalente Mbatha, Relebohile Mofokeng and Kabelo Dlamini. The result kept the Buccaneers in third place, with three points behind Stellies in second place.
How Orlando Pirates line-up:
- Goalkeeper – Melusi Buthelezi
- Right Back – Thabiso Lebitso
- Central Defender – Tapelo Xoki
- Central Defender – Thabiso Sesane
- Left Back – Innocent Maela
- Central Midfielder – Makhehlene Makhaula
- Central Midfielder – Thalente Mbatha
- Central Attacking Midfielder – Patrick Maswanganyi
- Left Forward – Relebohile Mofokeng
- Right Forward – Monnapule Saleng
- Center Forward – Tshegofatso Mabasa.
Soon after the final whistle, the former SuperSport United forward went to the crowd to soak in some love and praise. A video captured the supporters chanting the 26-year-old player’s nickname, “Tito.”
Check out the video below as shared by @Katlimonyaki via X.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates will be travelling to the Western Cape and Eastern Cape this week. First, they will visit Cape Town City on Wednesday at 15:00 before travelling to Chippa United on Saturday at 15:00 for the Nedbank Cup semifinals.
Can the Sea Robbers finish second to qualify for the CAF Champions League and also lift the Nedbank Cup title this season? Let us know in the comments section below.