Themba Zwane-Patrick Maswanganyi Bafana Bafana debate rages on, Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo impressed by Orlando Pirates star - 'He can make things happen'

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos believes Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi has the potential to replace Themba Zwane in the national team.

The Belgian remarks are part of a debate about Maswanganyi's capabilities to fill in the Masadawana captain's shoes.

Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has also voiced his opinion, especially after his player struggled to impose himself in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away in Congo-Brazzaville after coming on as a substitute for Zwane.

Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has joined in the debate as Zwane nears retirement from international football.

“From what I saw when Themba got injured [against Congo-Brazzaville], they gave him [Maswanganyi] a chance,” Khumalo said on The DNA Podcast.  

“Yes, it’s footballing problems… We can’t say ‘he was out of the game, he had a bad game’ because he hasn’t played much for the national team but at Pirates he does.

“He understands the philosophy, the players, they have a social factor there. Now you bring him in in a very crucial match that we’re playing away, and this player hasn’t played for you in the past four or five games.

“How on earth do you expect this player to be giving us what Themba was giving us, or [Teboho] Mokoena or [Thalente] Mbatha for that matter?" asked the Bafana Bafana legend.

“Where I’m seated, I wouldn’t say he had a bad game. It’s so unfortunate that him not getting game-time in Bafana might have added fire. He became something that we never thought he would be… 

“When we talk football, let me say you want to run a marathon… It’s like in soccer. For Tito to understand a Mokoena, [Bathusi] Aubaas, how [Oswin] Appollis plays… The only players that he might have an understanding is those he plays with at Pirates.  

“But these are the type of situations that we call football problem. I’m not looking at it in a smaller scale [of one game], I’m looking at it in a bigger scale, the players know that he can dance, they know that he turn up the magic. That’s one point for us," continued the Soweto-bred former Amakhosi star.

“They know if they give him the ball and give him the support he needs, he can make things happen.”

Maswanganyi's start to his international career was not smooth as he struggled for game time, assists and goals.

But after scoring two goals in consecutive Bafana matches against Uganda and South Sudan, Maswanganyi might have now convinced a section of South African fans that he can replace Zwane.

Zwane is now 35 and the possibility of his international career ending in a few years to come is real.

It is not clear when he will hang up his boots but the Sundowns skipper might want to continue and help Bafana's bid to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

That is the reason why even Broos has identified Maswanganyi as Zwane's long-term replacement.

After being out for a long period of time, Zwane would be hoping to be back and reclaim the form he was currently enjoying.

On the other hand, Maswanganyi will be hoping to be on top of his game for Pirates and be considered to start for Bafana when they return to action in March 2025 when with Zwane back in the picture.