Ngubane advises Pirates’ Maswanganyi to change his attitude

South African soccer legend and former coach Mlungisi Ngubane has advised Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi — who is believed to be on the verge of leaving the club — to change his attitude and take his football seriously.

The attacking midfielder has been linked with a move to Rulani Mokwena’s Egyptian team, Pyramids FC, as well as an unnamed Bahraini club.

Maswanganyi, 28, missed Pirates’ 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 semifinal first leg at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

Ngubane, who was awarded the Andrew Mlangeni Green Jacket during the annual SA Sports Awards ceremony at Sun City on Sunday, said Pirates would miss him but advised Maswanganyi to take his football seriously, wherever he was going.

“My advice to Maswanganyi is that he must change his attitude. He must take football seriously because he is talented,” Ngubane told Sowetan.

“Sometimes we don’t see his talent because he takes football for granted. He must be very serious. He has a lot to offer. We’ve not seen the best of him. Maybe he is going overseas, and we will then see the best of him because he will be out of his comfort zone.

“Going overseas will help him change his attitude. They don’t play; they give you a contract and the money you want, but there is no room for error.

“You can’t just do as you want. He is going to have to change. All I want from him is that he must stay humble and disciplined because coaches there are no joke.”

While Pirates recently lost Relebohile Mofokeng, and Kabelo Dlamini is recovering from injury, Ngubane does not see a player crisis at the club. “Pirates have a lot of talent. They are lucky because when they promote a youngster, they always seem to fit it,” he said.

“It won’t be much of a problem if those players are not available. Already they have a young boy from Stellenbosch [Thapelo Mokobodi]. He is doing well for Pirates. And we’ve not yet seen much of a guy from Norway [ Sebastian Pedersen], whom I believe is a good player.

“I saw some good touches from him. Maybe he can make things happen for Pirates and take the pressure off [Yanele] Mbuthuma and [Evidence] Makgopa.”

Pirates will look to maintain their lead at the top of the Betway Premiership when they host Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.