Booing Maswanganyi ‘Not Right’ Says Pirates Legend

A former Pirates player has defended Patrick Maswanganyi after the club’s fans booed him in the last game. Photo: Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates legend Innocent Chikoya has condemned the boo-boys, who attacked Patrick Maswanganyi at the Orlando Amstel Arena after the club were eliminated by Casric Stars in the Nedbank Cup.

Maswanganyi has not been in his best form at Pirates and was one of the players blamed by supporters for the loss against Mamelodi Sundowns in midweek leading up to the Nedbank Cup last 16 clash against Casric on Saturday.

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With the Soweto giants still tied goalless against Motsepe Foundation Championship side, there was a section and a chorus of boos, targeted at the Bafana Bafana midfielder when he was replaced by Oswin Appollis just after the hour-mark, with frustrations getting the better of the so-called 12th-man.

Speaking to Soccer Laduma, Chikoya has reminded the fans who expressed their frustrations over ‘Tito’ that they are going to need him on Saturday in the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs.

“I don’t think the word ‘used as a scapegoat’ is the right word. Remember, when the team loses, everybody loses, whether I made the mistake, somebody has to step in for me. We score together, we win as a team and we lose as a team,” Chikoya said.

The former Pirates defender said it wasn’t good for supporters to be ostracizing players, especially leading up to a big game such as the Soweto Derby.

“But I think Patrick has proven himself, he has been one of our best players when we played the derby, you remember the chipped penalty? So a person who is like that has got character already. I think he has a mind of steel to go and participate again.”

The former Zimbabwean left-back has rallied the supporters to look at the bigger picture ahead of the crucial clash against arch-rivals Chiefs.

“Remember we lost the first two games of the season and we bounced back, we won about 11 games in a row. We’re the only team that has got two trophies right now in South Africa. They should learn from the two games they lost when the league started,” Chikoya continued.

Chikoya said the derby is a different ball game which gives players a fresh start.

“A derby is a whole new different ball game, it’s on its own level. The boys just have to go out there, support each other, which is the most important thing, the management is always behind them as they’ve done.”

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The former Pirates man appluaded Irvin Khoza’s sons, Nkosana and Mpumi Khoza for their recruitment.

“…what they’ve done in terms of recruitment, try to give the coach every ammunition, we’re not going to complain as former players or a supporter about what the management have done,” the Zimbabwean said.

“Our supporters have to learn, let’s accept defeat and move on. We know it’s painful but we just need to be brave going into our next game and support our boys.”

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