Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is confident that he has finally found himself a Themba Zwane replacement in Orlando Pirates playmaker Patrick Maswanganyi.
Broos was speaking to the media after announcing his final 23-man squad for Bafana that will play against Nigeria and Zimbabwe in two crucial 2026 Fifa World Cup Qualifier games on June 7 and 11, respectively.
Maswanganyi, 26, was a breath of fresh air in the DStv Premiership last season with his impressive and flamboyant display for Pirates. This saw him being nominated in more than three end-of-the-season awards.
First call up in March
The skillful attacking midfielder’s hard work did not go in vain. It earned him his first call up in March this year during the friendly match in Algeria.
Broos, who has made it known that one day he will need a replacement of Zwane, said Maswanganyi has all the qualities to replace the Mamelodi Sundowns midfield maestro.
“I hope I have found the right replacement for Themba Zwane in Maswanganyi,” Broos said.
“Yes, he is lacking the international experience. But I believe that he has the qualities and talent to replace Themba Zwane in future at Bafana Bafana.
“For him [Maswanganyi], everything happened so fast. Because he was from a smaller team [SuperSport United] and settled well at Pirates. And game after game he became better and better.
“We then followed him several times because like I said a year ago that we need to find a replacement for Themba. One day it will be finished for him, and we must be prepared for that.
Player with the right qualities
“So, Patrick was with us for the first time in March, he gets his chance again now and we will see how it turns out. But I hope he takes this chance because he is a player with the right qualities.
“He may not be good and experienced as Themba at the moment. But he can reach that level. All we need to do is give him the confidence and hope that we have made the right decision.”
Bafana are set to jet off to Uyo, Nigeria, where they will be gunning for three points. They will also be gunning for revenge for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) early this year.
The Super Eagles knocked South Africa out in the semi-finals of the Afcon. They beat Bafana Bafana 4-2 on penalties in Ivory Coast.
