'Impatient' Patrick Maswanganyi tipped to ditch Orlando Pirates - 'Tito is ready for Europe'

Patrick Maswanganyi has been Orlando Pirates' key player since joining from SuperSport United in the 2023/24 campaign.

Last season, he played a total of 40 matches for Bucs across all competitions and managed to score 10 goals plus 12 assists.

He has not started the 2024/25 campaign well at club level, with a goal in his name after 16 outings, but at Bafana Bafana, he has done better after finding the back of the net twice in three appearances.

It explains why his mentor at Stars of Africa Academy, Farouk Khan, insists the creative attacker is ripe for Europe.

"I can tell you now Tito is ready for Europe. Even himself as a player, he really wants to play there. You know if Pirates can allow him to go then it won't benefit only Pirates from the sale but also the player himself and the country. He could have stayed longer in Portugal but he was impatient that time," He told SNL24.

"You know many players from Brazil, Argentina, and most other African countries use Portugal as a springboard to bigger leagues in Europe and he could have been patient then things could have worked out for him that time. But nothing is lost. He can still go now and make it big. He is ready for Europe," Khan concluded.

Maswanganyi's former outfit Ud Oliveirense has been linked with a move for the 26-year-old midfielder.

'Tito' featured for them briefly before returning to the Premier Soccer League with SuperSport United.

This season, Pirates want to challenge for the PSL crown and the Caf Champions League and chances of releasing their star players are minimal.

It is interesting to see if other European teams will bid for the attacker in the forthcoming transfer window.

Maswanganyi should now stamp his authority at Bafana where he has been tipped to replace ageing Themba Zwane.

But at Bucs, the talented forward will have to work on his effectiveness in the final third in the ongoing campaign.