Stay of execution? Outstanding Evans stands tall for Ten Hag

Follow GOAL's WhatsApp channel now!

Madueke earns disappointing draw as Jackson struggles

Sublime Saka rips Saints apart to get Gunners out of jail

Van Dijk colossal as Liverpool march on at Palace

Believe! Start date revealed for Ted Lasso Season 4

Juventus boss breaks silence on 'great player' Pogba's future

Ex-Real Madrid star Diarra wins court case against FIFA

Yamal 'already at the level' of Mbappe and Vini Jr

Explained: Why Messi could be back at Barcelona in November

Pogba's wage cut revealed as doping ban is reduced

Vini's Ballond'Or-worthy brilliance outshines Mbappe

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Sono said he can't be compared to Maswanganyi</li><li>This has sparked debate</li><li>Motakle joins the discussion</li></ul><a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vae4thkJZg4CmvuUtR3C" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL!</a><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Ex-Orlando Pirates captain Edward Motale backs Patrick Maswanganyi in Jomo Sono number 10 jersey debate - 'Comparisons become dangerous, they demoralise a player'

Premier Soccer League

Orlando Pirates

AmaZulu FC

Chippa United

Lamontville Golden Arrows

South African football legend Jomo Sono said mentioning his name alongside Patrick Maswanganyi when it comes to the number 10 jersey <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/sono-tears-into-orlando-pirates-star-maswanganyi-for-pointless-showboating-and-claims-tito-is-no-match-despite-getting-no-10-jersey-i-saw-him-dancing-on-the-ball-going-towards-his-own-goal/blt7b907170b9307857" target="_blank">is like comparing an elephant and an ant.</a>This comes after the iconic shirt number was assigned to Patrick Maswanganyi by the club at the beginning of the season.Sono's remarks have sparked debate with former Maritzburg United coach <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/mzansi-legend-mlungisi-professor-ngubane-agrees-with-jomo-sono-in-patrick-maswanganyi-and-orlando-pirates-jersey-number-10-debate-tito-is-not-extraordinary-relebohile-mofokeng-is/blt923675e968d36431#csa2c69a34403f9367" target="_blank">Mlungisi Ngubane saying there is nothing special about Maswanganyi.</a>But former Pirates captain Edward Motale has leapt to the defence of the Bucs current No10, saying it is unfair to the Bafana Bafana midfielder to compare him with Sono.

WHAT HAPPENED?

“Sometimes comparisons become dangerous, they demoralise a player,” said Motale on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjwGh0iKXJs&amp;t=51s" target="_blank">Arena Sports Show.</a>“If Tito can hear what Bra J said, it demoralises the boy. Tito is a good player, he can make things happen.“At Pirates, I have watched him over and over again as being compared to where he came from, SuperSport United.“Now you can see he is blossoming but sometimes we need to be careful when we make comparisons," added the Buccaneers 1995 Caf Champions League-winning skipper.“If we give this boy number 10, he needs to be inducted to know all the people who wore that jersey even before Jomo Sono, what they contributed."Number 10 is very awkward, especially after what Bra J did. At one time he was fighting for that number with Pele."So, let's not rush. Maswanganyi is a good player. Let him make his mark. He is from SuperSport and did not do much there and now he is blossoming nicely," Motale added.“Let’s not put pressure on the boy with the number 10 [talk]. Let him focus on his game, play for Bafana Bafana. I don’t know his age but he can still go overseas."

WHAT MOTALE SAID

Maswanganyi might avoid being weighed down by comparisons to Sono but use it as an inspiration for a memorable season.That will, however, demand him to remain consistent like last season when <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/patrick-maswanganyi-the-rise-of-orlando-pirates-midfield-maestro-who-is-proving-to-be-the-signing-of-the-season-in-the-psl/blt44dc6b84a8884f68#cs7515d4cb7f433efb" target="_blank">he bagged 11 Man of the Match awards across all competitions. </a>That could earn him regular playing minutes in the Bafana Bafana squad or a return to Europe where he previously had a stint in Portugal.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Pirates' participation in the Caf Champions League provides Maswanganyi with a bigger stage to showcase his capabilities to a wider audience.The Soweto giants resume their Champions League campaign with a visit to Jwaneng Galaxy for Saturday's second preliminary round, first-leg clash.They open their PSL campaign against Chippa United on Wednesday September 18.

WHAT NEXT FOR MASWANGANYI?

Ex-Orlando Pirates captain Edward Motale backs Patrick Maswanganyi in Jomo Sono number 10 jersey debate - 'Comparisons become dangerous, they demoralise a player' | Goal.com

The debate about the Buccaneers&apos; iconic shirt number continues and the club&apos;s Caf Champions League-winning skipper joins in.

Ex-Orlando Pirates captain Edward Motale backs Patrick Maswanganyi in Jomo Sono number 10 jersey debate - &apos;Comparisons become dangerous, they demoralise a player&apos;