Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi says he feels less inclined to perform skills and tricks since beginning his career outside South Africa, despite his coach encouraging him to express himself on the pitch.
Showboating remains a divisive subject in South African football. Some believe skills have little value unless they help a player beat an opponent or create a goalscoring chance, while others regard individual flair as an important part of the country’s football culture and a source of entertainment for supporters.
Maswanganyi, who became a popular figure at Orlando Pirates because of his creativity and technical ability, discussed the issue while speaking to the South African Football Journalists Association (SAFJA).
“Yeah, well, my coach wants me to do them [skills],” said Tito.
“But in terms of myself, I don’t feel like doing them because I’m not in South Africa. But being in South Africa, I felt like it’s our culture, you know. I grew up in Tembisa watching games and that’s how they played.
“And also, people who have been watching the old people, they’ve been telling us that those people were playing great football. But when I watch their videos, they were doing showboating, you understand?”
The 25-year-old said his attitude was shaped by growing up in Tembisa and watching the way football was played in South Africa. He also referred to the influence of older generations, whose style has been praised by those who watched them play.
Maswanganyi’s comments underline the cultural importance attached to showboating in South African football, while also illustrating how a player’s approach to individual expression can change depending on the country in which he is competing.
Although his coach continues to encourage him to use his skills, Maswanganyi said he no longer feels the same personal motivation to do so outside South Africa.
Last month, Maswanganyi was seen at the Orlando Amstel Arena with his former Orlando Pirates team-mates as they watched the club beat Sekhukhune United 1-0.
