Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi has revealed that ex-Buccaneers and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teko Modise is the one player he looked up to growing up.
Maswanganyi, 28, left Pirates to join Bahraini side Al Khaldiya ahead of the current season, revealing during a chat with the South African Football Journalist Association that it was due social media backlash directed at him and his family.
‘Tito’ as he is affectionally know has explained that he identified with Modise’s style of play, but also dress style and looks from an early age when asked about his football idol.
“Teko Modise,” he stated.
“When I used to watch him, I would obviously see myself playing like him.
“I’ve always tried to copy his style and also when I did braids cause he had like dreadlocks I tried to do my braids because I never told anyone this but I saw him had dreadlocks and I thought I don’t like dreadlocks so I should do braids.
“It’s someone that I’ve always seen myself in. I’ve always wanted to meet and I’ve met him.
“I’ve always like his style of play and how he dresses, how he talks. He’s just an amusing person that I’ve always looked up to.”
Modise won three trophies during his time at Pirates, and latter added six more – including two Premier Soccer League title and the CAF Champions League – during his time at Mamelodi Sundowns.