Pirates’ Maswanganyi reveals the Arsenal star he tries to emulate
Orlando Pirates’ new signing Patrick Maswanganyi has revealed that he is modelling his game on a Norwegian star playing for Arsenal in the Premier League.
Maswanganyi joined the Buccaneers from SuperSport United ahead of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership campaign.
The attacker was signed alongside Melusi Buthelezi, Siphelo Baloni and Katlego Otladisa ahead of the upcoming season.
Maswanganyi has been in fine form with Pirates in the pre-season. In the just-ended Bucs’ tour of Spain, he scored two goals in three friendly games for the Soweto giants.
With the Tembisa-born aiming to make his mark at Pirates, he has revealed the one Arsenal player he watches to improve his game.
PATRICK MASWANGANYI ON ARSENAL STAR Martin Odegaard
“I really enjoy watching Martin Odegaard, who plays for Arsenal, I think he plays really well,” said Maswanganyi.
“Most of the time, I try to emulate his style, particularly how he’s able to find spaces in the pockets, how he turns and position himself. I really admire his style of play.”
Maswanganyi further revealed how he almost quit football after a short-lived spell in Portugal.
“When I came back to South Africa, I had a lot of doubts in myself because I had hoped to stay longer in Europe,” he stated.
“You know it’s every young footballer’s dream to play in Europe. But I came back, and perhaps that was a source of self-doubt I was experiencing.
“I was really afraid, I even went to tell my grandmother that I’m thinking of quitting because I thought I was not capable of playing good football anymore.
“But when I started playing in the DStv Premiership, things started to change, I realised I still do have football. From there, I kept a positive attitude and started working extremely hard at training.”
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