Orlando Pirates legend Lawrence "Killer" Maake backs Patrick Maswanganyi to go on and do better than Thembinkosi Lorch at the Soweto giants.
Maswanganyi has been a marvel to watch for the side since joining from SuperSport United at the beginning of the season.
Maake says the man nicknamed 'Tito' can be better than former fan-favorite Lorch, who recently left the Buccaneers for rival club Mamelodi Sundowns.
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"The Orlando Pirates situation at the moment is up and down with a lot of promise," Maake tells KickOff.
"I'm beginning to see stability, I'm beginning to see players that I can name as regulars and the trusted. I liked what I saw from Maswanganyi in the Soweto Derby. He rose to the level that I'd love to see becoming sustainable. He makes things happen.
"I think with time, without interference and injuries, the Pirates coach will be able to know who are his trusted players.
"In terms of attacking, I'm very comfortable with Maswanganyi. Of course, sometimes players who are good with attacking struggle with defending, but they still make a difference. I just want to see him performing at the same level as he is doing at the moment.
"He is not afraid to hold the ball and do whatever he wants to do. I like the fact that he knows when to make the right decision. Look at the goal he created for Monnapule Saleng. Two touches and it was on," he says.
"Lorch he came through and he showed us what he was capable of, and then there were other factors outside the field disturbing him. So, Lorch never got to show us his full potential. But I think Maswanganyi, given his space and full support from the management and the team around him, he will do better.
"Let’s appreciate the fact that your performance is influenced by several factors around you, on and off the field. So, assuming that all is well, I think he is a very good player. It took me a while to see him. I enjoy watching players who are in their own natural space.
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"He is not afraid to dribble, and that's something all these European coaches have taken away from us. I knew how to dribble, but there are skills I never got to display.
"The likes of Doctor Khumalo, and Mlungisi Ngubane were the bold ones, they were never afraid to defy the coach. But many of us did not get to show our full potential because of the coach's instructions.
"So, Maswangwanyi, with that freedom and maturity, going forward he is going to be a gem. I foresee him on the national team."
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