Former Kaizer Chiefs star makes provocative claim about Orlando Pirates Patrick Maswanganyi - 'Tito is better than Themba Zwane for me'

Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has made a daring assertion regarding Mamelodi Sundowns star Themba Zwane and Orlando Pirates star Patrick Maswanganyi.

Since Maswanganyi gained recognition in the PSL last season, comparisons between him and Zwane have emerged, with some football enthusiasts arguing that Tito possesses greater talent than the Downs captain.

Amidst those discussions and comparisons, the outspoken football analyst, Khanye, has also expressed his views on the issue, confidently asserting that Maswanganyi surpasses Zwane.

"Tito is a star player in the country, and I think for the number 10 role, I can compare him only to Mshishi although for me Tito is better, without looking at the stats because Mshishi has been around for longer. Yes, Tito doesn’t have speed, but he makes up for it by using his technique excellently in terms of how he is able to run behind the defences. I also like his arrogance," Khanye told Soccer Laduma. 

"Look, I think people still remember that Mshishi had to be loaned out first before he was able to establish himself at Sundowns. He went to Mpumalanga Black Aces and came back a better player and he has improved over the years to be the top player that he is today. 

"But this boy (Maswanganyi), at a very early age, went to Portugal where he played for a few years before coming back to play for SuperSport United and now at Pirates. Farouk (Khan) developed him (at the Stars of Africa Football Academy), and the results are now showing," explained the iDiski Times analyst. 

"Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got nothing against Mshishi and in fact I cherish him for all of his achievements over the years and the career he has had, but right now when it comes to the best number 10 in the PSL, Tito has no match. The boy has got a big heart, and if you don’t believe me, show me any player who can kick a penalty like that in the last minute of a Soweto derby, there’s no one," he added. 

"You can’t do that if you are not special. You take a penalty like that, and you miss it, you are sent home the following Monday without a doubt, I am telling you. For me, and taking nothing away from Mshishi, South Africa (Bafana Bafana) has got a new number 10 in Tito."

Zwane has often been compared to Bafana Bafana legend Doctor Khumalo, who is considered one of the finest midfielders the country has ever seen.

Mshishi, as the 35-year-old midfield maestro is affectionately known, has featured in over 350 matches and netted more than 75 goals for Sundowns in his ten-year stay at the club thus far.

Conversely, Maswanganyi, 26, has played in over 60 matches for Pirates and scored at least 15 goals since joining the Sea Robbers from SuperSport United last season. 

Both midfielders have been performing exceptionally well for Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana recently, and they are expected to help South Africa qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup and win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, once Zwane has sufficiently recovered from his Achilles injury.

Zwane is currently recovering from an injury he sustained during international duty in October last year, however, he has commenced light training and is anticipated to return to action later this month.

Meanwhile, Maswanganyi will aim to maintain his excellent performances for Pirates and assist the team in clinching the league title and the Caf Champions League this season.

Pirates and Sundowns are due to meet on Saturday in a PSL title showdown that will go a long way to determining who will lift the trophy in May.