Several football pundits have criticized Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi for his flashy style of play, claiming that showboating has no place in the game.
However, Farouk Khan, the coach who discovered and trained Maswanganyi at the Stars of Africa Academy, has come to the defence of the former SuperSport United player, arguing that his style is a strength rather than a weakness.
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Speaking exclusively to Soccer Laduma, Khan expressed that there are numerous world-class players who display similar skills and are not criticised for it, urging South Africa to support the player, rather than criticise him.
"It's very unfortunate that people criticise players like Tito. Players like those are born like that and you can not change them. There are top players in the world who do those tricks to help their teams win games. Look at players like Ronaldinho, Messi or Christiano Ronaldo. They do those things and help their teams. Instead of criticising Tito we should encourage him to do his tricks and win games for the team whether it's Pirates or Bafana Bafana. I am against those people who criticise him," Khan told Soccer Laduma.
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Khan also said that its important that the coach plays to Maswanganyi's strengths, rather than trying to change his natural style.
"His strength is skill. Use him for his skill. You can ask something that he doesn't have. He has skill. He can create chances and score and that why teams which sign him, do sign him. And you know teams need players like him. We call them conductors. Kaizer Chiefs used to have Thabo Mooki, Doctor Khumalo and Scara Ngobese. Mamelodi Sundowns have Themba Zwane and Maswanganyi is the one for Pirates. So let's not change him," Khan urged coaches and critics.
