Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi, who has been nominated in three categories for the end of the PSL awards, has reflected on his memorable 2023/24 campaign.
Maswanganyi joined the Buccaneers in the off-season from SuperSport United, with little expectations from the 26-year-old, who only had just one season in the DStv Premiership after he got his breakthrough via Matsatsantsa head coach Gavin Hunt.
However, 'Tito' made an immediate impression, following reports that he had a good pre-season with the Soweto giants in their pre-season tour of Spain.
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The former SuperSport midfielder was trusted enough to grace the Pirates midfield by Jose Riveiro and he has not disappointed the Spanish coach, after he played a big role in the Buccaneers winning the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup double.
As a testament to his brilliant campaign, Maswanganyi has been nominated in the DStv Premiership Players' Player of the Season category, alongside Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and Stellenbosch forward Iqraam Rayners.
The stylish left-footer is also vying for the MTN8 Last Man Standing award, after he was nominated together with his teammates Zakhele Lepasa and shot-stopper Sipho Chaine.
The 26-year-old is also in contention for Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament alongside his teammate Tshegofatso Mabasa and Rayners.
In the Bucs Camp documentary titled 'The Changeroom', Maswanganyi revealed in conversation with Thalente Mbatha that he didn't even think he would be starting games so soon at the club despite impressing in their pre-season tour of Spain.
"For me after I arrived, I didn't believe, even in the pre-season we had in Spain, it was good but I didn't know that I would be starting games at Orlando Pirates," Maswanganyi said in Part 1 of the documentary aired on SuperSport TV.
"I thought I'd wait for my time, I told myself that I'll push to be in the team, so I can get minutes. But working hard and being dedicated helped me to start matches.
"For me now I don't want to be out [of the starting line-up], I don't want to go out, I want to always be playing, so I need to make sure that I'm dedicated and I go forward," he added.
Maswanganyi would be delighted to go back to a place where he started to impress Riveiro, with the Soweto giants set to tour Spain again in their pre-season preparations after Sevilla confirmed they would line-up against Ezimnyama on 15 July at Jesus Navas Stadium.
The PSL Awards Ceremony will take place on Sunday evening.
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