Orlando Pirates legend Teboho Moloi has given the club's new star, Patrick Maswanganyi, his blessings to wear the jersey number 8 at the club.
Currently, the number is used by Thabang Monare.
Maswanganyi, who is currently using number 28, has proven to be a star at Orlando Pirates since his unexpected arrival from SuperSport United.
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The 24-year-old attacking midfielder from Tembisa has been the most consistent performer at Pirates this season, becoming an instant fan-favorite in the process.
Like Maswanganyi, Moloi was a dribbling wizard and a fan-favourite at the Soweto giants in his heydays.
"Tito deserves to wear any jersey number he wants at Pirates," Moloi confidently tells KickOff.
"If he can't get a certain jersey, that also should be explained why not.
"Like jersey number 10 at Pirates, it was used by Jomo Sono, and Jomo Sono took it from my father.
"We must explain to players how much pressure and responsibilities come with wearing certain jersey numbers," he added.
Furthermore, Moloi said he does not believe in the practice of retiring jersey numbers but rather, current stars need to be given the space to flourish while wearing jersey numbers used by club icons from the past.
"But maybe it's because I'm more South American-orientated. I mean, Pele is the greatest player in the world, Maradona is the greatest player in the world, but their jersey numbers have not been retired.
"Maybe the people who make the decisions to retire these jerseys must tell us why it is done.
"Maswanganyi is a fresh breath of revelation because he is surrounded by good players, we can now clearly see his talent.
"If there's a jersey number that he wants and it's available, they must give it to him.
"When I came back from Colombia, my jersey number 8 was being used by Dumisa Ngobe, and I had to settle for number 13.
"If Tito wants jersey number 8, he can take it, I'm giving him my blessings. He deserves to wear any number he wants at Pirates, as long as it's available.
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"When Excellent Walaza was promoted to the first team, he said to me, 'Coach, would you be okay if I used the number 8 jersey?'
"My response was, 'Boy, you pick and choose any jersey you want as a player, as long as you perform exactly as the previous owners of that jersey did.
"Tito Maswangwanyi, the boy is just amazing. If he wants a number 8, then they must give it to him."
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