With Orlando Pirates having unveiled that Patrick Maswanganyi will be wearing the classic number 10 shirt in the 2024/25 CAF Champions League, we take a quick glance at the shoes that 'Tito' needs to fill while donning that sacred Buccaneers shirt.
The story
In many parts of the world, the number 10 shirt in football holds significant prominence, as legendary players like Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Pele have worn in for their club's and country.
The number 10 has held such high regard that you often find instances where it is said to weigh heavy on some players at some clubs and some have unfortunately been deemed undeserving and not ready to take on the big expectations that the number often comes with at big teams.
Although there is no indisputable evidence of this claim, what is undeniable though, is the sheer attention the number 10 shirt commands even in South Africa.
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At Pirates, in particular, no.10 represents arguably the greatest footballer to come out of South Africa, Jomo Sono. The shirt was retired by the club in honour of the Jomo Cosmos boss for his immense contribution to the the club and SA football.
Despite this, there have been some seasons when the jersey has had to be worn by a lucky Pirates as a result of the club participating in CAF competitions.
The Bucs unveiled their squad's shirt numbers for the upcoming CAFCL this week, with the club noting that CAF regulations allows for a maximum of 40 registered players, all sporting the numbers 1 to 40.
"With this in mind, the previously unused Orlando Pirates jersey numbers 10, 13 and 22 will once again make an on-field return in this season's instalment of Africa's premier club competition," said the club in a statement on their official website.
24/25 CAF #ShowMeYourNumber Edition ??The Following Players have been assigned the following numbers for @CAFCLCC Sephelo BaloniMelusi ButheleziThabiso SesaneRelebohile MofokengPatrick Maswanganyi??Full Details ???? https://t.co/OrmcZLf4X3????????#OnceAlways… pic.twitter.com/qdiAbannni
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) August 14, 2024
Notably, Maswanganyi will be wearing the no.10 shirt ahead of his second Champions League campaign of his career following his debut season last term.
The previous bearer of the number was the recently departed winger Vincent Pule, who joined SuperSport United in this window as a free agent.
With the sight of a Pirates player wearing the no.10 being so rare, Maswanganyi now boasts the opportunity of captivating the continent in that famous shirt.
Pule was privileged enough to wear the shirt during three seasons in CAF competition; the 2018/19 CAFCL as well as the 2020/21 and 2021/22 CAFCC competitions.
Nicknamed Mashonisa, Pule made 16 appearances in the no.10 shirt for Pirates and managed just one assist in the process, according to Transfermarkt.
It appears to be a straightforward feat to beat for the new owner, Maswanganyi, and his first opportunity will come on Saturday when Ezimnyama Ngenkani take on Madagascar club CNaPS Sport on Sunday.
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