Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi is yet to shrug off a slow start, with the pressure to emulate Themba Zwane at Bafana Bafana belying his form.
Maswanganyi raised expectations that he should be counted among the big players, not only at Pirates but in the league after he was named 2023/24 Players' Player of the Season, Midfielder of the Season and Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament.
However, 'Tito' has had a shaky start at the Buccaneers this season, with Relebohile Mofokeng and the likes of Evidence Makgopa, Thalente Mbatha and the emergence of youngster Mohau Nkota hiding his lack of impact.
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After scoring ten goals and registering 12 assists last term, the former SuperSport United midfielder is yet to score or assist a goal for Jose Riveiro's charges in the domestic competitions.
The 26-year-old has scored only one goal for Ezimnyama this season, against amateurs Disciples FC in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round, second-leg Pirates won 4-0.
Although it took some convincing for Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos to call Maswanganyi to his squad, the Belgian admitted that he does not have too many options in the number ten role and has earmarked 'Tito' to be a heir to Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Zwane.
After 'Mshishi' picked up an injury on national duty, the 72-year-old coach suggested that Maswanganyi has the potential to replace the Masandawana legend.
However, the left-footed gangly attacker is seemingly in the early stages of a second season syndrome, which also affected the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch and Monnapule Saleng after they were crowned the best footballer in the land.
Lorch could not sustain his tag as the best footballer in the league, let alone at Pirates, a season after he named Footballer of the Season.
Saleng also went through that rough patch and pressure to sustain being at the top, following his coronation in the 2022/23 campaign.
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After scoring 15 goals and 11 assist in the 2022/23 term, where he was named Footballer of the Season, the North West native forward posted only five goals and five assist the following campaign.
The former Free State Stars striker is only rediscovering his form that made him the best in the league in the current campaign, where he has already scored five goals.
Expecting Maswanganyi to emulate Zwane in the Bafana shirt could be a stretch, if 'Tito''s current statistics are anything to go by, which actually signals a pattern experienced by Lorch and Saleng a season after being named the best player in the league.